Abstract
The construction of a by-pass in North Rhine-Westphalia resulted in the excavation, recording and relocation of one of the most important archaeological monuments in the Rhineland: a stone and masonry aqueduct up to 95km long, which had supplied water to Roman Cologne. As preservation in situ was not possible the pipe was lifted in segments; some were displayed on the site, others were moved to sites nearby. The conservation of the segments was undertaken by apprentices from the Chamber of Crafts and the whole project was a successful collaboration between private, public, business and local communities.
Highlights
When a bypass in Hürth-Hermülheim (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) was first planned in 2005, it became apparent that the new road would affect the route of the ancient water pipeline (Eifelwasserleitung), which had supplied Roman Cologne with water from the 1st to the 3rd century AD
Since the new highway had to be built in a low-lying area in order to pass under a railway line, affecting the water pipeline, it was not possible to keep the monument undisturbed in situ
Questions of logistics, financing, public relations and last, but not least, conservation and reconstruction as well as the installation and presentation of the completed parts had to be clarified. From their interim storage facility provided by Straßen.NRW, the sections were transported to the training centres of the Chamber of Crafts and the BFW for conservation to be carried out under the technical project management of Thomas Sieverding
Summary
When a bypass in Hürth-Hermülheim (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) was first planned in 2005, it became apparent that the new road would affect the route of the ancient water pipeline (Eifelwasserleitung), which had supplied Roman Cologne with water from the 1st to the 3rd century AD. Built of solid stone and cast masonry and, at 95km long, one of the longest water pipelines in the Roman Empire, it supplied the ancient city with around 20 million litres of drinking water every day.
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