Source of Trajan's aquaduct found at last

The long-sought source of the aqueduct that brought clean fresh water to ancient Rome lies beneath a pig pasture and a ruined chapel, according to a pair of British filmmakers who claim to have discovered the headwaters of Aqua Traiana, a 1,900-year-old aqueduct built by the Emperor Trajan in 109 A.D. . .

Edward O'Neill and his father Michael were searching for the Aqua Alsietina, Rome's lost aqueduct, when local people suggested investigating a long abandoned church known as the Madonna of the Flower.

Exploring the chapel, the documentary makers found a concealed door which led to a subterranean chamber. . .

Quilici confirmed that the building was Roman, rather than medieval, as had long been believed. . .

Beyond the subterranean chamber, a 125-meter-long (410-foot-long) gallery led to the beginning of the aqueduct. But what struck the researchers was the chamber's decorations, made with a rare and costly type of paint known as Egyptian blue (calcium copper silicate).

"This was an extraordinary monument, a vaulted, three-chambered semicircular nymphaeum . . .
At the center there was a small temple dedicated the the spring god, while on both sides there were two basins"

Posted by David on January 30, 2010 10:18 AM