Adduction, évacuation et gestion de l’eau dans l’enclos du Temple de Paris : approches archéologiques et techniques

Abstract

Excavations at « Carreau du Temple » in 2011 lead to a study of the integrated hydraulic system, including elements for conduction, management, and drainage of the water in the prioral space. Elaborated at the end of the 14th c., it was used until the end of the 17th c. with an important rehabilitation programm. In order to distribute the water inside the Priory, the inverted siphon technique was used, following the principle of communicating vessels. Two hydraulic systems designed to control the flow – a pressure tower and a drain cap – have then been studied in detail. The pressurized conduction system is made of various materials with water resistance and waterproofness abilities, such as lead, stone, terracotta and broken tile mortar, especially appropriate for this kind of installation. In addition to the water conduction system, a network of drains and sewers was built to drain rain and used water from the prioral space to the outside of the enclosure.