Ancient aqueducts are hallmarks of Roman engineering in the golden age of their empire. For the first time, cities and towns far from a water source gained a clean water supply for private homes, public baths, fountains and agricultural irrigation. The water ran through covered trenches, tunnels, pressurized pipes, walls and arches on a slight downhill slope to take advantage of the pull of gravity to keep the water flowing. Aqueduct engineers must plan the route carefully to make sure the water reaches the towns that need it.
The path of the water pipe will require clay, heavy cardboard, Styrofoam, boxes, a table, chairs and a bucket. For the waterway, use PVC pipe or plastic tubing or cardboard tubes. A two-liter bottle or gallon jug serves as the water reservoir. Some designs need duct tape, tin foil or plastic wrap, a clothes pin or PVC end cap and a funnel.
Ancient Romans built lead pipes to direct their water flow, some closed or covered while others ran in open troughs across arches. To simulate a covered pipe, drill the lid of the plastic bottle or jug so that PVC pipe or plastic tubing fits securely in the opening. A simpler option is to cut cardboard tubes in half lengthwise to form an open trough. Join several half tubes end to end with duct tape. Cover the inside with tin foil or plastic wrap for waterproofing.
Construct a path of arches, walls, tunnels, underground trenches, mountains and valleys using clay, heavy cardboard, Styrofoam, boxes and chairs. It should run downhill from the table to the bucket placed five to eight feet away to represent the town that needs a water supply. Lay the pipe along the path, adding any necessary support to stabilize it and keep it in place.
For the covered pipe design, fill the plastic bottle or jug with water and set it on the higher table. Cap the lower end of the PVC pipe or use a clothespin on plastic tubing to pinch off the flow. Insert a funnel in the upper pipe end and fill the length of the pipe with water to prime the pumping action. Screw the lid onto plastic container making sure the pipe end is completely submerged and seal any leaks with duct tape. Remove the clips or end caps and watch the water flow to the "city." For the simpler open trough design, secure the upper end to the table so it won't slip or slide around. Pour water into the top end of the pipe and watch it flow downhill.
If the water doesn't have enough pressure to flow all the way to the "city," redesign the path until you can get a steady flow into the lower bucket reservoir. Observe what happens to the flow as the source water level drops. Write a paragraph explaining how water levels affect the water pressure in an aqueduct and what this means for maintaining a steady water supply to all locations downhill. Compare how the aqueducts' water supply affected Roman citizens' culture and quality of life, what would have been different or non-existent without the help of these ancient marvels.