Rome's Ancient Aqueduct Found

[n2doc]

The long-sought aqueduct that delivered fresh, clean water to Rome nearly 2,000 years ago, is found beneath a pig pasture northwest of the Italian city.

By Rossella Lorenzi | Fri Jan 29, 2010 04:23 AM ET

The long-sought source of the aqueduct that brought clean fresh water to ancient Rome lies beneath a pig pasture and a ruined chapel, according to a pair of British film-makers who claim to have discovered the headwaters of Aqua Traiana, a 1,900-year-old aqueduct built by the Emperor Trajan in 109 A.D.

One of Rome's 11 aqueducts, the Aqua Traiana originated around Lake Bracciano, 25 miles from Rome. After collecting water from other springs on its way down to the capital, the channel finally reached Janiculum Hill in Rome, providing clean, drinkable water to the Trastevere district.

"This aqueduct had an enormous importance as it supplied the capital with very pure spring water. Health and hygiene improved, as well as industrial activities. We have been able to find the very source of all this," documentary-maker Edward O'Neill told Discovery News.

The team made their discovery between Lake Bracciano and the village of Manziana (about 25 miles northwest of Rome), amid thick vegetation and pig pastures.

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/roman-aqueduct-emperor.html

[Mari333]

1. oh link please and knr

[n2doc]

3. sorry. Done. n/t

[WCGreen]

2. Aqueduct my freind ...

It's good to see you bac again...

[Windy]

4. Oh wow...incredible! Thanks! (BTW I always look for your posts!) nt

[xchrom]

5. Amazing!

Recommend

[Auggie]

6. Video Link:

http://vodpod.com/watch/2950378-bbc-news-secret-source-of-a-roman-aqueduct-discovered

[GoCubsGo]

7. Wow!

Much of it looks to be in damn good shape for something 1900 years old. Thanks for posting that!

[David Zephyr]

8. Brilliant!

Thanks!

[LWolf]

9. Nice. nt

[dmr]

10. WOW! 1900 yrs old & it looks like it's in good shape, too

actually it looks kinda pretty.

But being 1900 years old and still exist is mind blowing!

[CatholicEdHead]

11. Why am I feeling all Deja Vu-ish right now?

With the Battlestar Gallactia's "It has all happened before" with finding this outside Rome and the recent SCOTUS decision. :scared:

[HillbillyBob]

12. Cool I love history

I was the kid who read the encyclopedia ...too bad it dint stick teflon braincells or that I only have 2 orbitings left.

We think we are so advanced, well many things can be done by brute machines, they had to figure out how to manage with less power and created technologies that were were sustainable for the most part. We could learn something.

[myrna minx]

13. K&R. Very interesting. n/t

[AzDar]

14. So cool! Thanks for posting...

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Very, very cool!

[apocalypsehow]

16. Fascinating stuff. Kick & Rec.

:thumbsup:

[Haole Girl]

17. Awesome!

I remember learning about that in Western Civ. The Romans were such great builders.

Thanks for the link!

[tedoneill]

18. Discovery of source of Trajan's Aqueduct

Hey Guys,

I'm glad you're interested in our little discovery. You might also like to view some of the videos we have put up on the Vimeo site.

• A Walk in the Virgo shows our first filming session in Agrippa's Aqua Virgo, Rome's only still functioning Aqueduct after 2000 years.
  

The other videos are concentrated around the Aqua Traiana, and the recent discovery you have read about:

• Aqueduct Hunters One Minute does what it says on the tin, and introduces the subject very quickly if you have a slow internet connection.
  
• Aqueduct Hunters Seven Minute Trailer introduces the subject properly and is similar to the video that we showed at the Press Conference on Thursday.
  
• The Source of Trajan's Aqueduct is a little less polished but has more material, all from the site.
  

More images are available here: Flickr Images

Compliments to the webmasters on a really interesting site, and thanks again for your interest.

Ted O'Neill
Director, MEON HDTV Productions