300 Years of Aqueduct Deposits May Link the Plague of Cyprian to the Decline of Roman Nîmes
Discover what an ancient aqueduct can tell us about the rise and fall of “the French Rome” under Roman rule.
For roughly 300 years, the Roman aqueduct of Nîmes served as a testament to the city's history during the Pax Romana. By analyzing carbon deposits in the aqueduct, researchers have shed light on the city's decline, potentially linked to the Plague of Cyprian. The aqueduct was likely expanded during the first century A.D. due to challenging climatic conditions, and ceased operation by the middle of the third century A.D.
The carbonate deposits, similar to tree rings, revealed changes in water usage and management over time. Initially, the aqueduct was modified in response to a dry spell, but by the mid-third century, its state had deteriorated, with porous carbonate, clay, and sand, suggesting a decline in water quality. The researchers believe the decline may be attributed to the Plague of Cyprian, which devastated the Roman Empire during that period.
Written by urgent.news from Discover Magazine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
