Opus Reticulatum

A Roman construction technique consisting of blocks which are laid on a concrete core so that the edges are placed on a diagonal and produce a crisscross pattern. It is a technical term used by Vitruvius c 30 BC to describe the diamond pattern of square stones that was often used as a decorative facing to an inner rough concrete core. Opus reticulatum came into vogue in the 1st century BC and remained until the time of Hadrian (AD 117). The construction was like that of opus incertum but the pieces of stone were pyramid-shaped with square bases set diagonally in rows and wedged into the concrete walls.

[Latin: ‘net-like work’]. Technical term used by Vitruvius (Roman architectural writer, c30 bc) to describe the diamond pattern of square stones that was often used as a decorative facing to an inner rough concrete core. The pattern is popular, roughly in the period cl00 bc-200 ad.