The Aqueduct of Hadrian, Tunisia

The monument is a symbol that represents the Roman and Islamic history of Tunisia. This biggest Roman aqueduct is 132 km long, of which 17 km is supported on arches. The most spectacular part of the aqueduct is situated in the valley of the Meliane River.

The construction was intended for water supply of the hot baths (thermae) of Antoninus Pius and was completed during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (AD 162). The Aqueduct was destroyed by the last Vandal King during the Byzantine recapture of Northern Africa. Restored by Byzantines, its functioning was interrupted again after the Arab conquest of Carthage in 698. The Hafside emir Al Mustancir put it again into service 1265, after a long period of abandonment.

Some parts of the Aqueduct are still used for water supply of the city of Tunis.

Aqueduct - sector in the valley of the Meliane River

Nymphaeum at the foot of Mt. Zaghouan

Sector 4 - close to the road Zaghouan-Tunis

Actual status of some pillars

1. PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTATION

Historical particularities

• Historical chronology

• Ancient architectural techniques
• Bibliographic and iconographic documentation

2. FIELD WORKS

• 1^st field campaign                December 1998

• 2^nd field campaign               February 1999
• 3^rd field campaign                May 2000

v     General survey of construction materials: natural  (stones)
                                                                     artificial  (mortar, concrete)

v     Selection of sampling points and collection of samples

v     Study and classificatiopn of degradation phenomena

v     Mapping of materials and altetrations

v     Survey of ancient quarries and studies on provenance of  stone materials. Collection of some samples

v     Geotechnical studies: seismology, induced vibrations

v     Study of mechanical stability of the construction