EARTH: Travertine Buildup Reflects Ancient Rome's Water Usage

PDF versionPDF version
EARTH: Travertine Buildup Reflects Ancient Rome's Water Usage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/12/2015

For years historians and scientists have tried to understand the ancient marvel of the Roman aqueducts to better understand Rome itself. Now archaeologists are using a new method - the buildup of travertine within the Anio Novus aqueduct - to determine how much water flowed into Rome.

The Anio Novus aqueduct is an ideal study candidate because not only was it the longest aqueduct, but it also has an associated written history. With modern understanding of flow rates and some calculus, the researchers were able to extrapolate a flow rate for the aqueduct. Find out just how much water flowed into ancient Rome in EARTH Magazine: http://bit.ly/1lm7YT8. 

EARTH Magazine continues to bring readers the science behind the headlines. This month's features cover how conflict minerals are traced through the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a proposed solution to an energy, environment and water conundrum. Also included are the latest research headlines, like what sinkholes on comets mean for the comets' composition, the role of ancient lakes in early life, and updates to the "tree of life." As always, participate in the "Where on EARTH Photo Contest" and the geo-crossword puzzle. 

###

Keep up to date with the latest happenings in Earth, energy and environment news with EARTH Magazine online at: http://www.earthmagazine.org/. Published by the American Geosciences Institute, EARTH is your source for the science behind the headlines.

###

The American Geosciences Institute is a nonprofit federation of geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 250,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment.
 

Press Release PDF: