Last week, British and Italian experts revealed the chance discovery of the source of a 1,900-year-old Roman aqueduct complete with nymphaeum near the Italian capital. An aqueduct is a water supply or navigable channel (conduit) constructed to convey water. In modern engineering, the term is used for any system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and other structures used for this purpose. The word "aqueduct" is derived from the Latin aqua ("water") and ducere ("to lead").
According to the researchers, the richly decorated vaulted ceilings suggest that Trajan (the 13th Roman emperor) almost certainly came there for the aqueduct's inauguration. The emperor may have been in that area on June 24, 109 A.D., according to historical records. By coincidence O'Neill first explored the aqueduct on June 24, 2009, exactly 1,900 years later. Trajan commemorated the opening of the aqueduct by minting a Roman coin and building a fountain on Janiculum Hill, right where the waters entered the city. The coin shows a river god atop flowing waters, reclining in what looks like a grotto or a tunnel.
Photo by MEON HDTV: Sestertius coin dating from 109AD
According to the researchers, the richly decorated vaulted ceilings suggest that Trajan (the 13th Roman emperor) almost certainly came there for the aqueduct's inauguration. The emperor may have been in that area on June 24, 109 A.D., according to historical records. By coincidence O'Neill first explored the aqueduct on June 24, 2009, exactly 1,900 years later. Trajan commemorated the opening of the aqueduct by minting a Roman coin and building a fountain on Janiculum Hill, right where the waters entered the city. The coin shows a river god atop flowing waters, reclining in what looks like a grotto or a tunnel.
Edward O'Neill, who was filming a documentary on Roman aqueducts with his father Michael on June last year, teamed up with Italian ancient topography professor Lorenzo Quilici of the University of Bologna to authenticate the find. Quilici, a foremost expert on Roman aqueducts, explained that the source of the aqueduct had been forgotten for centuries after the artificial waterway was partially diverted in the 16th century and said it was found in "extraordinary and adventurous circumstances."
Photo by MEON HDTV:Tunnel plus Opus Reticulatum
The long-sought source of the aqueduct that brought clean fresh water to ancient Rome lies beneath a pig pasture and a ruined chapel near the Italian capital. 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.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. Much of the site is in urgent need of restoration, most notably being threatened by the roots of a giant fig tree.
Here is a 7 minute HDTV video trailer by O'Neills title, "Roman Aqueduct Hunting in the 21st Century."
Source: AFP News, redorbit.com, msnbc.msn.com,
