CONSTRUCTION OF THE AQUEDUCT: PART 1
From its collection point in the mountains northeast of the city to the
Nymphaeum beside the northern city wall, the greater part of the roughly
11-kilometer length and 287-meter drop of Antioch’s first known
aqueduct flowed in a well-built underground channel. This channel exhibits
three distinct designs and modes of construction. Covered manholes provided
entry points into the channel for maintenance. Elevated segments of the
channel carried on three bridges traversed valleys or other irregularities
in terrain to maintain an even slope. Well-worked limestone blocks joined
with dovetail clamps strengthened the structure of each of the bridges.
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