A remarkably intact wooden water pipe from ancient Rome has been uncovered in an intriguing location—a Belgian marsh.
This find was made public on May 7 by the city of Reuben, located east of Brussels, in Flanders.
The pipe was unearthed during construction work on Brusselstrad, a street in the city center, which is being developed for student housing.
Interestingly, the pipe was fashioned from wood, with cylindrical holes cut to serve its purpose. It dates back to either the second or third century, when Reuben was noted as a minor settlement within the expansive Roman Empire, which stretched from England to Egypt and from Gibraltar to the Caspian Sea.
The press release, translated from Dutch, stated, “In our area, Leuven likely represented just a cluster of homes and farms situated at a crossroads along the Roman road that joined Cologne and Boulogne.”
Experts believe that the pipe’s exceptional state of preservation will significantly enhance our understanding of the Roman presence in Reuben.
Dark Vancina, a city council member focused on Real Estate Heritage, remarked that such discoveries in Flanders are quite rare. Though remnants indicating the existence of Roman wooden pipes have been found in other locations like Tienen, intact examples are few and far between.
Vancina noted that over time, many wooden structures typically deteriorated, leading to the absence of intact water pipes. However, in this case, the groundwater levels have remained stable, which played a crucial role in preserving the wood.
“The proximity to the Daire River has ensured that these wooden pipes have remained well-preserved through the centuries,” an expert shared. Because the area has historically been marshy, these conditions have facilitated the preservation of such artifacts.
The pipes have now been transferred to a conservation facility for further research. If additional tests confirm their age, they may undergo freeze-drying for preservation and possibly be showcased later on.
During the excavation, archaeologists also discovered various other items, including ancient ceramic pieces. Yet, the city highlighted that the water pipes stand out due to their uniqueness.
Although the size of Leuven during Roman times may have been limited, Vancina concluded that these discoveries illustrate the substantive Roman presence in the area, emphasizing that continued exploration could bring further insights into this fascinating past.
