Roman water evacuation structures. Assessment of functionalities and building techniques present at Mirobriga (Santiago do Cacém, Portugal)

Description

While analysing two of Ulpianus’ passages in the edict De Cloacis, namely (Dig. 42.23.1.4) and (Dig. 43.23.1.6), we can infer that in Antiquity all evacuation structures would have been encompassed under a single term, «cloaca». However, given the diversity in size, construction, and function of the existing remains, it becomes impractical for modern investigation to refer to all using the same designation.
In this presentation, we analyse the different evacuation structures related to the evacuation of rain and wastewater that have been identified in the town of Mirobriga (Santiago do Cacém, Portugal) and the role each of them played in the town’s evacuation system. Comparing the construction of main conducts, secondary branches, and pipes, and confronting the results with the type of residue that was evacuated and the sort of building they were located, we make a tentative effort to determine the degree of specialization, or multifunctionality of each type of structure.

Period	1 Sept 2022
Event title	EAA Annual Meeting Session #222 - Ad Salubritatem Civitatum : The Archaeology of Water Evacuation Infrastructures in Roman Urban Settlements
Event type	Conference
Conference number	222
Location	Budapest, HungaryShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International