Frontinus Supplement - Volume 1

Author: Klaus Grewe

Long-distance aqueduct construction required special skills in areas such as surveying and hydraulics. The desire to explore and reconstruct ancient planning and routing procedures using contemporary methods and instruments was realized because suitable structures were found for research. This book presents findings from archaeological excavations and surveys of Roman long-distance aqueducts in the Eifel region and North Africa. The reader gains both an overview of the general methods and technical tools used in long-distance aqueduct construction and an insight into the practical problems masterfully solved by Roman engineers.

Planning principles, surveying equipment, division of construction lots and main leveling, route development, fine staking, and error compensation within construction lot boundaries are explained. The reader also receives an overview of the structures along the route of a long-distance water pipeline, from the water intake through bridges and tunnels to the inner-city water distribution system.