Implications of anthropogenic carbonates in reconstructing ancient water management

What is it about?

Anthropogenic carbonate deposits (limescale) from ancient water pipes, aqueducts and baths provide plentiful information on ancient water management practices, strategies and wider Roman history. These calcium carbonate deposits formed from hard water and provide the composition, temperature, biological content, quality and quantity of supplied water. The carbonate also can be used to learn about hygiene in Roman public Baths. The Republican Baths of Pompeii contain evidence for the quality of water in Roman Baths and the way the baths were reconstructed over time.

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Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Understanding the traces left by ancient people in carbaonte of the Roman Baths of Pompeii brings insight into past conditions of bathing facilities and hygiene, and there public health. It shows how and which modifications made to provide more, warmer or cleaner water. This information is part of our cultural heritage, and helps us understanding an ancient culture that was both very similar to ours, and very different. In general carbonate from ancient water systems like aqueducts can teach us about many aspects of the environment and use of water systems, including the structure of aquifers 2000 years ago, which are still used for modern water supply. Such knowledge can be useful to improve water supply systems in the modern world

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