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Document Details :

Title: A Note on the Drainage of Pools in Roman Baths
Author(s): MARÉCHAL, Sadi
Journal: BABESCH
Volume: 92    Date: 2017   
Pages: 179-186
DOI: 10.2143/BAB.92.0.3242693

Abstract :
This short note examines the difference in drainage of the cold and hot pools of Roman baths. In some hot pools, it seems that the water was drained through the half-cylindrical water container in contact with the pool (testudo alvei) or possibly through a metal heating device inserted in the bottom of the pool (a type of semi-testudo). Such a system could imply that the waste water of the hot pools may have been used to clean the furnaces. If the drain gave directly onto the furnace, the pool could only be emptied once a day, when the baths closed.

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