This Roman lead drain pipe ("plumbaria") was found at Bothwellhaugh Roman Fort, Lanarkshire, Scotland and was picked by Shauna Joy, second year student at the University of Glasgow (Single Honours Archaeology). Shauna writes - The whole purpose of us looking at these sorts of pipes is that they go hand in hand with drainage systems of the Roman Empire, which is obviously very important, toilets and baths. The drains would have been a big part of Roman life, underlying every urban part of the Empire, under streets to take away sewage, which was also a massive concern for the ever-growing Empire. Sanitation was very important for health and wellbeing and it was vital that settlements were washed out properly, and that they also had clean rainwater for washing and drinking. Roman drainage systems were so robust that they are well preserved, and that is why we are able to have informative artefacts like this. The drain pipe is good evidence of the Roman civilisation and an important aspect of every day life and Roman engineering which is why I think that it is such an important object.
Share this link: