Publications
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.
Étude archéologique diachronique de la carrière de l’Estel sud: La Bégude Reymond, Route du Pont du Gard, à Vers-Pont du Gard (30)
Archaeological analysis of the Estel Sud quarry near the Pont du Gard, France, reveals preserved evidence of ancient stone extraction and landscape evolution, offering a rare diachronic perspective on Roman construction techniques. The study highlights how strategic flood-risk mitigation in antiquity safeguarded traces of quarrying activities from the 1st century CE, later obscured by sediment deposition. Unlike later 18th-century reopening for road infrastructure, the original exploitation—linked to the aqueduct’s massive stone blocks—was abandoned, leaving behind a unique stratigraphic record. This research provides insights into Roman engineering practices and environmental adaptation, contrasting with modern interventions.
Chemo-hydro-mechanical effects of CO2 injection into a permeable limestone
Research demonstrates that CO2 injection into carbonate aquifers, such as the Pont du Gard Limestone, significantly alters rock properties due to acid-producing reactions. The study found that HCl solutions cause localized, compact dissolution at the core inlet, affecting hydromechanical properties, while CO2-saturated water leads to widespread chemical reactions along preferential flow pathways, enhancing permeability through wormhole formation. A power-law relationship with a high exponent (up to 24) describes the permeability-porosity variation, and altered cores exhibit reduced mechanical strength and ultrasonic velocities, validated by a Differential Effective Medium approach. These findings highlight the complex chemo-hydro-mechanical effects of CO2 storage in carbonates, crucial for improving predictions and monitoring of storage performance.
Reputation assessment and visitor arrival forecasts for data driven tourism attractions assessment
A new framework leveraging social media and big data successfully forecasts online reputation and visitor arrivals at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct). Using machine learning, deep learning, causality assessment, and explainable AI, researchers identified key variables influencing predictions. A multilingual sentiment analysis tool based on transformers compared data from platforms like TripAdvisor and Twitter, while causality analysis revealed temporal impacts of social media posts on visitor numbers. This work, part of the Herit-Data project funded by the European Commission, demonstrates how advanced analytics can optimize tourism management for heritage sites.
Footbridge in History
Footbridges, including the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct), serve as cultural and historical symbols that integrate with their surrounding landscapes. This study highlights how these structures embody the 'genius loci'—the unique spirit of a place—through their ties to history, events, and intangible heritage. Unlike conventional views of bridges as mere functional or aesthetic objects, this research demonstrates their role in shaping cultural narratives, from ancient Roman aqueducts to medieval 'Devil's Bridges,' war-rebuilt structures like Mostar Bridge, and modern interventions such as Istanbul's requalified aqueducts and Venice's Calatrava Bridge. The analysis underscores how footbridges bridge not only physical spaces but also temporal and symbolic dimensions, reflecting the dynamic interplay between architecture, landscape, and human experience.
Monitoring of the rock mass deformation under the Pont du Gard pier VII foundation
A long-term monitoring study of the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct built around 50 AD to supply water to Nîmes (France), revealed that rock mass deformation under pier VII is influenced by both atmospheric temperature variations and water temperature changes during river floods. The research involved instrumenting two rock bolts in the foundation and tracking their movements over several years. While seasonal thermal effects were dominant, localized deformations correlated with flood events, suggesting dynamic interactions between the aqueduct's structure and hydrological conditions. This finding underscores the need for nuanced monitoring of World Heritage Sites to account for both climatic and environmental factors.
Roman Hydraulic Engineering: The Pont du Gard Aqueduct and Nemausus (Nîmes) Castellum
A new analysis of the Pont du Gard aqueduct's terminal water distribution castellum reveals that Roman engineers employed advanced hydraulic principles to optimize water flow. By applying modern critical flow theory, researchers discovered that the 10 basin wall pipelines were designed to maximize output flow rates while closely matching the input from the aqueduct. The three drainage floor ports further fine-tuned this balance, demonstrating a sophisticated integration of engineering and aesthetics typical of Roman values. This study bridges the gap between descriptive archaeological accounts and the underlying engineering knowledge, offering unprecedented insights into Roman hydraulic innovation.
Suivi des déformations du massif rocheux sous la fondation de la pile VII du Pont du Gard
A long-term monitoring study of the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct in France, reveals that seasonal temperature fluctuations significantly influence rock deformations beneath its foundations. Using instrumented bolts and temperature probes installed in the rocky support of Pile VII, researchers observed daily and seasonal variations linked to atmospheric conditions and river floods. These findings were corroborated by analytical simulations, explaining the magnitude of observed deformations. The study highlights the interplay between thermal effects and geological stability, offering insights into the structural behavior of this UNESCO-listed site under environmental stress.
Thirst for Power
The documentary 'Thirst for Power' highlights the profound interdependence between water and energy, tracing its historical roots to the Roman Empire's engineering marvel, the Pont du Gard aqueduct. This ancient structure not only supplied water to Nimes but also symbolized the economic and military power that sustained a 50,000-inhabitant settlement. The film explores how modern societies face a complex cycle where water supply demands immense energy, while energy production requires vast amounts of water, often exacerbating droughts by diverting resources to desert regions. By blending historical anecdotes with scientific insights, the documentary underscores the environmental and societal implications of contemporary lifestyles, emphasizing the need for sustainable water management. It effectively illustrates how even mundane actions, like turning on a light switch, have significant indirect water impacts.
The Pont du Gard and the aqueduct of Nîmes
The Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct spanning 50 kilometers from its source near Uzes to Nîmes, remains notable for its engineering precision and historical significance. This structure, part of the Nîmes aqueduct system, demonstrates the Romans' advanced ability to channel water with minimal slope (6 meters over 34 kilometers). The aqueduct's design reflects evolutionary changes in Roman bridge construction, including a shift toward more regular and rational use of concrete. Despite its frequent documentation, the Pont du Gard lacks a confirmed date, leaving its exact historical placement uncertain. The study highlights its architectural details, composition, and the extensive pictorial records housed in the Musée de Vieux Nîmes, offering insights into Roman engineering practices.
Nemausus
Nemausus, originally a Celtic settlement and later a significant Roman city in Gallia Narbonensis (modern Nîmes), emerged as a rival to Narbo, becoming one of the most successful urban centers in Roman Gaul. By 28 BCE, it was established as a *colonia Latina, hosting an important mint and expanding its walls to enclose approximately 220 hectares. The city's prominence is underscored by its architectural marvels, including an amphitheater, a precinct dedicated to Deus Nemausus, and the iconic Maison Carrée temple, later dedicated to Julius Caesar. Additionally, the Pont-du-Gard aqueduct, part of its extensive water infrastructure, stands as a testament to Roman engineering. Nemausus produced notable figures, including ancestors of Emperor Antoninus Pius, reflecting its enduring cultural and economic influence.
Lessons from a lost technology: The secrets of Roman concrete
Roman concrete, renowned for its durability and use in iconic structures like the Pont du Gard aqueduct and the Colosseum, harbors a hidden secret: the mineral al-tobermorite. This discovery, detailed by Jackson et al. (2013), reveals that Roman seawater concrete undergoes a unique chemical process over time, forming this stable mineral which enhances its longevity. The study analyzed samples from 11 ancient Mediterranean harbors, part of the ROMACONS project (2002-2009), demonstrating how Roman engineers leveraged volcanic ash and seawater to create a material that defies modern concrete's typical degradation. This insight offers potential for developing more resilient, long-lasting infrastructure materials today.
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