What happens to the volcanic ash excavated from the ancient ruins of Pompeii?
Mr J D Pattinson, Gosport, Hampshire
Mount Vesuvius's eruption in 79AD killed 2,000 people and buried Pompeii under millions of tons of ash, around seven metres deep in places, sealing off the city and creating a preservative layer.
A lot of that debris has been sent off to labs to test its value as a resource for conserving archaeological sites in the Vesuvius region. It's a very interesting material, with the chemical properties to react with lime to form a strong cement that hardens even underwater.
Researchers are hoping their studies and experiments on this volcanic ash will lead to the creation of a novel, environmentally friendly cement that would be especially useful in coastal areas, as it wouldn't be damaged by salt water.
The ancient Romans made use of volcanic ash in this way when they could get hold of it, and it's why so many of their structures have stood the test of time.
Some of the debris from Pompeii has been used in the construction of motorways nearby - and tourists over the decades have even been sold bags of it. There's still a lot left to work with, with a third of the ancient site of Pompeii still covered from the eruption almost 2,000 years ago.
Who decided we could no longer buy coloured toilet paper, and why? White is just so boring.
Christine Rae, Sturminster Newton, Dorset
There have been records of us using toilet paper since the 6th century in China, which was a much-needed improvement on moss, snow, animal furs and seashells. Even in the 1700s, corncobs were being used in America for such tasks, with the first perforated toilet paper rolls not introduced there until 1890.
The average person in the UK now gets through two-and-a-half rolls every week, amounting to 130 each year. Coloured toilet roll made an appearance in the 1950s and was popular for decades, with people matching it to their lavender and avocado bathroom suites to add even more personality to them.
At the turn of the century, three in 10 rolls sold by Andrex were coloured, but a decade ago it dropped to one in 10. Bathroom decor has become more neutral and the colour of toilet roll has reflected that, plus they are cheaper to manufacture and there is a perceived safety and cleanliness too. There were also worries about dyes and the environment, even though manufacturers insist it is a myth that dye makes paper less biodegradable. Shoppers seem to be drawn to other features these days, such as softness, thickness and sheets enriched with aloe vera or shea butter. Eco toilet rolls are also growing in popularity, which are made from 100% renewable and sustainable bamboo.
But coloured sheets still have their fans. Music mogul Simon Cowell is said to favour monogrammed black sheets, at £10 a roll, and pink is the go-to colour in French toilettes.
Portuguese company Renova claims it sells the "sexiest paper on Earth", specialising in nine shades, including orange, red, yellow, green and fuchsia, although six rolls will set you back £10 online.
Why do we save for a rainy day? Why not a sunny day?
Kate Simpson, Lichfield, Staffs
This has been used for at least five centuries, with English writer and poet Nicholas Breton writing in 1582: "Wise men say keepe somewhat till a rainy day", while Samuel Pepys back in 1666 wrote about "laying by against a rainy day".
The philosopher Abraham Tucker in the 18th century gave us: "It behoves us to provide against a rainy day while the sun shines", which has hints of making hay while the sun shines, linking sunshine with making money, and rain for hard times.
There's also raining cats and dogs, which has been around since the mid-17th century, with references to raining dogs and polecats. One theory comes from back in medieval times, when animals slept on thatched roofs, so when storms hit it was said they would fall, or at least jump, down from above.
Sticking with the drizzle, we also take rain checks, recorded since the 19th century, regarding a cancelled baseball game in America, with the check meanin...
Mr J D Pattinson, Gosport, Hampshire
Mount Vesuvius's eruption in 79AD killed 2,000 people and buried Pompeii under millions of tons of ash, around seven metres deep in places, sealing off the city and creating a preservative layer.
A lot of that debris has been sent off to labs to test its value as a resource for conserving archaeological sites in the Vesuvius region. It's a very interesting material, with the chemical properties to react with lime to form a strong cement that hardens even underwater.
Researchers are hoping their studies and experiments on this volcanic ash will lead to the creation of a novel, environmentally friendly cement that would be especially useful in coastal areas, as it wouldn't be damaged by salt water.
The ancient Romans made use of volcanic ash in this way when they could get hold of it, and it's why so many of their structures have stood the test of time.
Some of the debris from Pompeii has been used in the construction of motorways nearby - and tourists over the decades have even been sold bags of it. There's still a lot left to work with, with a third of the ancient site of Pompeii still covered from the eruption almost 2,000 years ago.
Who decided we could no longer buy coloured toilet paper, and why? White is just so boring.
Christine Rae, Sturminster Newton, Dorset
There have been records of us using toilet paper since the 6th century in China, which was a much-needed improvement on moss, snow, animal furs and seashells. Even in the 1700s, corncobs were being used in America for such tasks, with the first perforated toilet paper rolls not introduced there until 1890.
The average person in the UK now gets through two-and-a-half rolls every week, amounting to 130 each year. Coloured toilet roll made an appearance in the 1950s and was popular for decades, with people matching it to their lavender and avocado bathroom suites to add even more personality to them.
At the turn of the century, three in 10 rolls sold by Andrex were coloured, but a decade ago it dropped to one in 10. Bathroom decor has become more neutral and the colour of toilet roll has reflected that, plus they are cheaper to manufacture and there is a perceived safety and cleanliness too. There were also worries about dyes and the environment, even though manufacturers insist it is a myth that dye makes paper less biodegradable. Shoppers seem to be drawn to other features these days, such as softness, thickness and sheets enriched with aloe vera or shea butter. Eco toilet rolls are also growing in popularity, which are made from 100% renewable and sustainable bamboo.
But coloured sheets still have their fans. Music mogul Simon Cowell is said to favour monogrammed black sheets, at £10 a roll, and pink is the go-to colour in French toilettes.
Portuguese company Renova claims it sells the "sexiest paper on Earth", specialising in nine shades, including orange, red, yellow, green and fuchsia, although six rolls will set you back £10 online.
Why do we save for a rainy day? Why not a sunny day?
Kate Simpson, Lichfield, Staffs
This has been used for at least five centuries, with English writer and poet Nicholas Breton writing in 1582: "Wise men say keepe somewhat till a rainy day", while Samuel Pepys back in 1666 wrote about "laying by against a rainy day".
The philosopher Abraham Tucker in the 18th century gave us: "It behoves us to provide against a rainy day while the sun shines", which has hints of making hay while the sun shines, linking sunshine with making money, and rain for hard times.
There's also raining cats and dogs, which has been around since the mid-17th century, with references to raining dogs and polecats. One theory comes from back in medieval times, when animals slept on thatched roofs, so when storms hit it was said they would fall, or at least jump, down from above.
Sticking with the drizzle, we also take rain checks, recorded since the 19th century, regarding a cancelled baseball game in America, with the check meanin...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 22, 2025