Photo courtesy of Archaeological Park of PompeiiĪt the former site of the Civil Forum, a main gathering place and one of the most heavily trafficked areas in the city, a system of surface-level storm drains directed rainwater into two large, stone cisterns underground.
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However, previous expeditions underground had different goals, and uncovered only the most basic information about how the tunnels functioned, when they were built, or how far they stretched.īecause of the logistical difficulty of navigating these underground structures without disturbing their archaeological provenance, APP enlisted professional cave analysts from the Cocceius Association to comprehensively map and study the narrow tunnel system.Įvidence suggests that Pompeii’s ancient stormwater tunnels collected runoff from the heavily trafficked Civil Forum, conveyed it underground beneath the Via Marina, and eventually discharged it into the Bay of Naples. “The fact we can do this is testament to the excellent engineering skills at the time.” How Romans dealt with runoffĪrchaeological researchers had known about the existence of an expansive tunnel system underneath Pompeii for decades, describes an APP release about the discovery. “Since we have problems today with flooding from rain, we will start using again,” Osanna told The (London) Times in February.
Bound by the Volturno River and the Apennine Mountains, heavy rainstorms presented – and continue to present - severe flooding risks to low-lying Pompeii. APP is now working to restore functionality to the ancient tunnels while respecting and preserving their historical value, said park director Massimo Osanna. They surveyed 457 m (1500 ft) of stormwater tunnels that once carried runoff from the city’s center toward the Bay of Naples.
Photo courtesy of Archaeological Park of PompeiiĪrchaeological Park of Pompeii (APP) researchers have spent two years uncovering new details about how ancient Pompeian engineers approached stormwater management. Because the region still experiences frequent flooding today, the park plans to bring the tunnels back into functioning condition, said director Massimo Osanna. Researchers with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii have explored and mapped 457 m (1,500 ft) of ancient stormwater tunnels beneath the ancient Roman city of Pompeii.
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