The Usage History of the Aqueduct of Nîmes Reconstructed From Carbonate Archives: Operation, Modifications and Late Antique Breakdown and Change

Anthropogenic carbonate deposits along the Roman aqueduct of Nîmes, including the iconic Pont du Gard, reveal critical insights into ancient water management and environmental shifts. The study found that after 11 years of operation, a secondary water source was integrated to mitigate drought conditions, while water delivery to the city declined after 100 years due to rural irrigation demands. By AD 250–270, urban water supply ceased amid empire-wide crises, yet the aqueduct's upstream sections remained functional for irrigation for another century. Using stable isotopes (C, O, Sr) and trace elements, researchers reconstructed hydroclimate dynamics and human interference over 220–360 years, offering a detailed timeline of the aqueduct's breakdown and its implications for urban change.

Sürmelihindi, G., Passchier, C., Wilson, A., Day, C., Spötl, C., Hollowood, S., Mertz‐Kraus, R., & Weber, M. (2026). The Usage History of the Aqueduct of Nîmes Reconstructed From Carbonate Archives: Operation, Modifications and Late Antique Breakdown and Change. Geoarchaeology, 41(5). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.70076