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April 25, 2012

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Underground Aqueduct Dated To 6th century BC Unearthed In Megara


Archaeologists of the Third Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities recently discovered an underground aqueduct in a rural area in Megara, which is said to have been constructed in the 6th century BC. The excavation formed the initial part of the main ancient water supply system and was reported to have been designed by ancient Greek hydraulic engineer Eupalinos who is from this area.

The aqueduct, was unearthed in the area known as Orkos and is comprised of a network of shafts, cisterns and conduits that took advantage of the ground's natural downward slant ending up in the city's central water reservoir built in the 5th century BC, known as Theagenes' Spring or Fountain.

The Fountain House, built by Eupalinos in the first half of the 5th century BC (circa 500 BC), probably stands in the same place where a century earlier (6th century BC) the tyrant Theagenes had constructed a smaller fountain house, and thus is known as Theagenes' Fountain (Spring).

The front side of the building was occupied by a portico with five Doric columns, and at the back of this was a narrow cistern for the drawing up of water. Two more large cisterns, separated by a parapet, were used for the collection of water. The roof was supported by 35 octagonal columns made of poros stone, while the walls were built of large limestone blocks in the isodomic system. (AMNA)


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