L’approvisionnement en eau de la ville de Meaux antique : fouille d’un tronçon d’aqueduc à Villenoy (Seine-et-Marne) et premier bilan

Abstract

Bordered by a river, the ancient town of Meaux certainly tapped into this resource for its water supply. Nevertheless, the presence of wells shows that it was not enough. Building aqueducts reflects new requirements and urbanization, certainly in relation to the establishment of public infrastructure requiring constant power such as spas and fountains. Conducting a rescue excavation at Villenoy, neighboring town to Meaux, has provided the opportunity to study one of them. Good preservation of the remains has enabled the identification of the main technical characteristics of this small water conveyance and understand at least one state of repair. These observations complement other more specific findings. However, the chronology of this installation is worth clarifying, as its source(s) of supply. The study of concretions has helped reconstruct the sequence of operating phases.

Keywords

• water supply
• concretions
• wells
• aqueduct
• source
• Iatinum (Meaux)