Ancient Roman hydraulic infrastructures: knowledge, modelling, design, and function

Abstract

The remarkable advancement of hydraulic engineering in the Roman world is widely acknowledged. Our knowledge relies on a few written coeval sources and the remains of monumental structures which, although fragmentary and no longer functional, could provide a comprehensive understanding of the technical solutions employed.

This special session aims to deepen the understanding of the cultural and technological heritage of Roman hydraulic infrastructures through the reconstruction of their operational behavior and design principles. It fosters interdisciplinary dialogue among researchers in hydraulic engineering, archaeology, and heritage conservation, encouraging the exchange of perspectives between survey-based documentation, history of technology, and hydraulic modeling. This approach helps bridge the gap between the physical remains of the structures and the dynamic processes they once governed.

The session welcomes contributions dealing with case studies of ancient hydraulic works in the Roman area, as well as methodological approaches that integrate archaeological investigations, fluid mechanics, digital reconstructions, and heritage conservation. Topics may include the study of ancient water supply systems, port hydraulics, drainage and irrigation infrastructures, and the design rationales of their constructors.

By reconstructing the original hydraulic functionality of this infrastructural heritage, the session highlights the technical ability and cultural value embedded in ancient water systems. This approach transforms them from pure archaeological remains into dynamic witnesses of ancient knowledge, offering new perspectives on water management in Roman societies and improving our understanding of the technical mastery of the time.