How did the roman aqueducts work?
A famous example of ancient engineering skill, the Roman aqueduct system delivered water from a variety of distant water sources into the city through the clever use of gravity.OriginsAs ancient Romans outgrew their local streams and springs, they saw the need to convey water from remote locations, constructing their first aqueduct in 312 B.C., according to WaterHistory.org.Water SourcesAqueduct builders took care to locate drinkable water sources. Underground springs provided the freshest water, according to a NOVA interview with aqueduct expert Peter Aicher.Gravity PowerBuilders constructed the aqueducts on a gentle downward slope, relying on gravity to carry the water to Roman catch basins, which then fed the water throughout the city.ProliferationBy the 1st century A.D., ancient Rome received water from nine different aqueducts.
