Pompeii's public baths experienced improved hygiene following a switch in water sources, according to a new paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study analyzed calcium carbonate deposits from the city's preserved aqueduct, water towers, and bath structures to understand the evolution of its water supply system. Pompeii, a city near modern-day Naples, Italy, was famously destroyed in 79 CE by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, an event that released energy comparable to 100,000 times the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Prior research indicated that Pompeii initially relied on rainwater collected in cisterns and wells. The public baths, crucial for hygiene and social life in Roman society, employed weight-lifting machinery to draw water from wells as deep as 40 meters. The construction of an aqueduct between 27 BCE and 14 CE marked a significant advancement in the city's water infrastructure. Researchers focused on the calcium carbonate deposits left by the water to trace these changes.
The Roman Empire, known for its advanced engineering, constructed aqueducts across its vast territories, from Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. These aqueducts, like the Pont du Gard in France and the Aqueduct of Segovia in Spain, not only supplied water for drinking and sanitation but also powered mills and supported irrigation, contributing to economic development and public health. The shift from well water to aqueduct water in Pompeii likely reflected a broader trend in Roman urban planning aimed at improving sanitation and public health.
The study provides insights into the daily lives of Pompeii's inhabitants and the importance of water management in ancient urban centers. Further research is expected to analyze additional samples from Pompeii to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the city's water system and its impact on public health.
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