Budapest Régiségei 39. (2005)

Havas Zoltán: Az aquincumi aquaeductus új aspektusai = New approach to the aquaduct of Aquincum 51-70

HAVAS ZOLTÁN NEW APPROACH TO THE AQUADUCT OF AQUINCUM In 2003 due to the development of the junction of Szentendrei Road at Záhony Street the reinvestigation of a 40 metres section of the Roman Aquaduct was unavoidable. (Fig. 1, 10-13) Earlier excavations and other earthwork had destroyed most archaeological layers. In the course of the new research the earliest stoned pavement built after the construction of the aquaduct proved to be the first largest level for the investigation. Among the tasks of the excavation there were the hoisting and the archaeological preparation for the new exhibition of two chalk pieces that had exudated from the water leeking from the aquaduct. Original fragments of the construction of the aquaduct and remains of later, though still Roman period reconstruction and bits of supporting walls have survived sticking to the chalk pieces. (Figs. 22-23, 26-29). Analyse of stone-samples collected at the excavation site has shown that there were two types of stone used to build the aquaduct: one coming from nearby quarries, used frequently being freshwater limestone - whereas the other one, transported from a larger distance, a workable stone called the limestone formation of Rákos. The latter one was used to shape the vaults of the aquaduct. (Fig. 9) The foundation of the posts and the inner part of the aquaduct were made cast-insitu whereas the surface was made up of small ashlars (Fig. 8). Among the most significant finds of the excavation there are a fragment of a figurai carving depicting a male torso (Fig. 3), a fragment of a grave inscription (Figs. 4-5), oil-lamp mould of a nearby potters' workshop (Fig. 6) and the negative of a terracotta sculpture. (Fig. 7) 60