Archeologia dell’acqua a Veio (RM) : evidenze, interpretazioni ed ipotesi sul sistema di approvvigionamento idrico

In the context of studies on Veii, a specific analysis of the city’s water supply systems during the various phases of occupation is still lacking. $is paper thus intends to fill the gap in light of the most recent archaeological discoveries. In recent years, the state of knowledge of the site has made significant leaps forward thanks to the publications of the British School at Rome and the multiyear ‘Progetto Veio’, started in 1996 from a convention between La Sapienza, University of Rome and the current Soprintendenza Archeologica, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per l’area metropolitana di Roma, la provincia di Viterbo e l’Etruria meridionale. From a topographical point of view, the town of Veii stands on a plateau (h 185) and is skirted by two watercourses, both still active today: the Fosso Valchetta, the ancient Cremera, and the Fosso Piordo. $e Aqua Traiana (early 2nd century AD) is known to have crossed the territory of Veii (CIL XI 3793), but did not reach the town itself. It is generally thought that the water supply was organized by constructing large cisterns, which then supplied the town through a network of conduits. $e critical review of the old and new data, particularly those uncovered by archaeological research in the area of the town Forum, the site of Campetti South-West area, Piano di Comunità and Piazza d’Armi, allows us to present an up-dated overview of water collection and distribution systems from the archaic to the imperial period. Additionally, the use of all the available sources - archaeological (e.g. cisterns, aqueducts, underground tunnels), historical (literary sources) and epigraphical (inscriptions, stamps on lead pipes) - will make it possible to identify continuities and discontinuities in the use of water during the various phases of occupation. Finally, the creation of specific thematic maps showing the site’s water resources will complete the presentation of the data.