Aqueducts Romanization of Hispania

an important town needed constant water supply thousands of people gathered in 1 place several miles away natural water source. achieve continuous flow of water romans built aqueducts.

aqüeducte de les ferreres located on outskirts of roman town tarraco.

the roman aqueducts, despite appearances, built underground. however, known monumental aqueducts built bridge geographic barriers in order give continuous water channel. slenderness of type of construction, along tremendous height reached of them, makes them beautiful works of civil engineering of time, taking account difficulties overcome build them.

for construction of aqueduct, first needed source of water, channeling natural flow through construction of canal, , allowing slope carry water through channel artificial lake (in cases large stone reservoir structure). ensured constant supply of water throughout year.

diagram of water trap

from point, water transported canals, whether of stone, or pipes of ceramic or lead. latter solution bring health problems such lead poisoning, problem extend present day in places type of water management has been used in abundance. lead piping more easy work, used more in urban distribution network due high price, aqueduct traps.

model of aqueduct of segovia

the artificial reservoir water transported through underground channel town, taking advantage of natural slopes, romans built traps, allowed them avoid downward slope without building famous bridges keeping pressure flow. these traps take advantage of pressure resulting falling water raise other side, keeping pressure @ expense of losing of flow. application of principle of communicating vessels.

current aqueducts notable condition include first aqueduct of segovia, famous roman construction of iberian peninsula, followed aqueduct in tarragona or devil s bridge, , remains of aqueduct of merida, known miraculous aqueduct.