THE WATER SUPPLY OF CONSTANTINOPLE

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Methodology


Mapping
ed with GPSThe research is a natural continuation of the Anastasian Wall Project, which has practised techniques of precision survey over large geographical areas through a combination of satellite and terrestrial techniques. This has enabled us to deduce relative differences in altitude between channels separated by considerable distances thereby establishing congruency in the system. Precision GPS and terrestrial mapping of features associated with the urban water supply both inside and outside the city therefore comprises a major component of our fieldwork.


Hydrogeology
Paolo in channelFeasibility studies undertaken in 1998 demonstrated the efficacy of hydrogeological analysis on calcareous deposits in the surviving water channels, for the purposes of identifying spring sources from chemical signatures. This work has continued in subsequent seasons in collaboration with a team of hydrogeologists from Rome University led by Prof. Paolo Bono. Our sampling strategy for the system aims to correlate spring sources with channels and points of delivery in the city.

Historical analysis
An important aspect of this research is the correlation of the available historical sources for the city with the material and scientific evidence. For example, the sixth century Byzantine author Procopius, remarked on the variability of water supply to Constantinople, which in part would appear to explain the large quantity of Byzantine cisterns identified in the city. Our hydrogeological research has enabled us to confirm this observation, by demonstrating that the system relied on karst-limestone spring sources producing an erratic discharge directly dependent on seasonal precipitation. Underlying geology can therefore be seen to have had a profound influence on the overall system, an interpretation that has been confirmed through an integrated scientific, archaeological and textual approach.

Geographical Information System
The maintenance and analysis of topographical, archaeological, geological and hydrogeological data for a large portion of Turkish Thrace and Istanbul is fundamental to the aims of the project. The analytical framework for our study comprises a geographical information system, which is employed as follows:

  • To resolve anomalies and discontinuities in the surviving archaeology through the application of predictive modeling techniques. The extension of this analysis into the city allows us to devise and test hypotheses on hydro-engineering solutions for water distribution.
  • To compute ranges of potential water discharge throughout the system and to quantify water storage within the Byzantine city.
  • To contextualise our hydrogeological survey within the wider pattern of the geology of Thrace.
home page project acknowledgements Fieldwork Photo Album Project Bibliography Reports from 1994 onwards 3d visualisation of the water supply system Fieldwork Methodology Geology, Hydogeology and the Water Supply of Constantinople Channels and Aqueducts from the springs around Halkali Channels and Aqueducts in the Forest of Belgrade Water Supply and Distribution in Constantinople Major Water Bridges on the Aqueduct System The Longest Roman Aqueduct Go To Anastasian Wall Pages Intoduction to the Water Supply Project historical overview of the development Contantinople's water supply Dynamic Navigation Map