Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-10
AN ANCIENT A0UEDUCT.
Interesting Discovery 6y TrGnltrGy Con-
strmctOrS Near POSiIippO, Italy.
AL q L -. j.. H.


strwctOrS Near POsiIippO, ItdlY.
Naples Cor. London Times.
Recently visit of some interest was
made by the syndic and several srcheolo-
gists to the neighborhood of Posilippo.
The Society of Trsmways are there con-
structlng tunnel so as to open better
communication between Naples and Poz-
zuoli, and during the excavation an ancient
subterranean road has been discovered.
have called it a road, but more properly it
might be described as passage not higher
than meter and half, so as to allow a
man Of moderate stature to walk upright
in it. 1t was apparently made
for the passage of water,
and inscriptions made by nails
were found on the walls indicating the
villas which were supplied. Another in
soription, made after restoration, it hav-
ing been discovered between two layers of
plaster, is dated by the words, ENerva Con-
sule.' 1t has not yet been ascertained
where this conduit terminates, but a work
man has walked in forward direction for
an hour without any results. A guard is
very properly placed at the entrance, and
vigorously. On the side or near the base
of the rising ground called Posilippo,
blocking the way between Naples and
Pozzaoi, lies a group of Roman villas
not often visited, and it is probable that
for the supply of these and other
villas long since destroyed this conduit
was constructed. With this road now be-
ing made by the tramway company there
will be three roads TO Pozzuoll. The first
and most ancient is the Grotta di Pozzuoli,
above which stands the so-called tomb of
Virgil; the second is the Strada Nuova, in
a line with and above the sea, and Offering
one of the most magnificent views in this
enchanting neighborhood. The third is
that now in course of construction, which
besides Offering a great convenience to the
public, holds out the promise of some in
teresting archaeological discoveries. The
following official caution has been pub
lished here, and may be OF uasif made more
generally known: Contrary to the repre-
sentation of some spectators interested in
transporting operatives to Alexandria, in
Egypt, there are no public works COM
menced. 1t would be a great misfortune
for our countrymen, unless called for, to
move in that direction with the hope of
finding continuous work." Writing later,
the correspondent says: "Other details
have been published regarding the con-
workmen while forming the new grotta
under the hill of Posilippo. They run
right and left of the road which is now
being pierced for the passage of the
tram carriages. They are arched, are about
the height of moderate sized man, and
are wide enough to admit of two men
walking abreast. They are cut in the tufa
of which the mountain is formed and two
thirds of the walls are covered with plas-
ter, while the remaining portion is or was
encrusted with stalactites, which on the
ground being opened became Equehed,
and, running down over the walls, gave
them the appearance of being covered
with silicate. The conduit on the west
side was traversed for quarter of mile,
and from the sounds of the carriages roll
ing through the old grotta ii was concluded
il ran parallel to it. The direction CT this
branch was toward the sea, but no
inscription was found an it. The other
branch of the conduit runs deeper into the
mountain, and on it's sides were discovered
inscriptions in red letters. The two con-
duits form evidently an old aqueduct, run
ming from northeast to southwest, to the
sea which washes Posilippo, probably
branch of the larger aqueduct which con-
Quoted the 'Claudian' water from Sora
to Naples, and connected with the yet
larger aqueduct which supplied the fleet
at Baia9 with an abundance of water. It is
a work which greatly interests the arch@o-
lOUists and we shall hear further of the
excavations