Built within the early first century BC in the course of the Augustan period in Naples, Italy, the “Aqua Augusta” is one of the biggest and most refined aqueducts within the Roman Empire. Now, a beforehand unknown part of the ‘Aqua Augusta’ aqueduct has elicited pleasure from each archaeologists and historians.
The Aqua Augusta equipped potable consuming water from the Serino springs on the Campanian Apennines, which is the primary spring space of the karst aquifer within the Terminio massif (Southern Italy). Despite its historic significance, the Aqua Augusta stays one of the least researched and comprehended aqueducts from the Roman period. And as such, the misplaced tunnel has hit at the moment’s headlines.
The Longest Stretch of the Aqua Augusta
Constructed by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a detailed pal and son-in-law of the Roman emperor Augustus, the Aqua Augusta measures round 90 miles (145 kms) and it was the longest aqueduct within the Roman world for over 400 years. Running from the Posillipo hill, an prosperous residential quarter of Naples, to the crescent-shaped island of Nisida, the rediscovered part of the Aqua August is roughly 640 meters (2,100 ft) in size, representing the longest recognized stretch found to this point.
Despite its historic significance, till now the Aqua Augusta had acquired restricted consideration from researchers. The newfound section of the Aqua Augusta, nonetheless, was recognized by the Cocceius Association , a non-profit group specializing in speleo-archaeological work, the Extraordinary Commissioner for the Reclamation of Bagnoli, and Invitalia.
Speleologists discover the Aqua Augusta, a Roman aqueduct that was beforehand the least-documented aqueduct within the Roman world. ( Associazione Cocceius )
Truths Buried in Myths
The discovery of this stretch of the Aqua Augusta got here from a collection of tales from native residents who claimed that they had explored the tunnels as kids. These experiences had at all times been written off as legendary, however now, in keeping with a report in Arkeonews, the invention “highlights the significance of preserving local knowledge and folklore,” in addition to the position of neighborhood engagement within the discovery and preservation of historic websites.
The Aqua Augusta comprised ten branches of water which equipped city facilities and rich villas with water. The newly found part of the Aqua Augusta is described as being in “excellent” situation in contrast with the numerous crumbling underground water tunnels in Italy. And for that reason, the newly found part presents archaeologists the chance to check what’s one of “the best-preserved” sections of a Roman aqueduct anyplace in Italy.
A Library of Ancient Engineering
The predominant tunnel measures between 52 cm (20.47 in) and 70 cm (27.55 in) extensive, and is 64 cm (25.19 in) excessive. It has a hydraulic plaster coating lined by a thick layer of limestone on the base of the piers. As a end result of surveying errors Agrippa’s builders did not observe probably the most direct path, and the primary tunnel hit some obstacles alongside its course. However, the whole size of the aqueduct is accessible and each part shows a number of historic engineering methods.
View contained in the newly rediscovered part of the Aqua Augusta. ( Scintilena)
The uncovering of this new section of the Aqua Augusta not solely presents insights into historic Roman engineering and building methods, however it additionally info on the cultural and social significance of the aqueduct, and its position within the on a regular basis lives of the traditional Roman folks.
This discovery serves not solely as a reminder of the worth of native tales, but in addition the significance of preserving and defending our cultural heritage, in addition to the position of neighborhood engagement within the discovery and safety of historic websites.
Top Image: Speleologists discover the Aqua Augusta, a Roman aqueduct that was beforehand the least-documented aqueduct within the Roman world. Source: Associazione Cocceius
By Ashley Cowie
