Wright Paleohydrological Institute

Wright Paleohydrological Institute WPI is a non-profit institute dedicated to the study of paleohydrology, the use and management of water by ancient cultures.

The field report summarizing WPI's 2025 field work in Pompeii is now available! This year’s field work ranged from GPS s...
10/16/2025

The field report summarizing WPI's 2025 field work in Pompeii is now available! This year’s field work ranged from GPS surveying and drone flights to the investigation of aqueduct segments. The Team appreciated unparalleled access to various baths and houses in Pompeii.
Wayne Lorenz, Spencer Perry, and Jamie Akens of Denver, Colorado, met up with Neapolitan researcher and resident Giuseppe Illiano for 2025 field research. (Photograph taken at the Santa Chiara Church, built on a Roman bath in Naples.)
wrightpaleo.com/roman-projects

The indefatigable Wayne F. Lorenz, P.E. was at it again! Kudos to Wayne for his passion for ancient engineering—it teach...
04/25/2025

The indefatigable Wayne F. Lorenz, P.E. was at it again! Kudos to Wayne for his passion for ancient engineering—it teaches us much about modern engineering. Yesterday, he chaired a session on New Discoveries and Interpretations at Pompeii for the Society for American Archaeology’s 90th National Meeting here in Denver.
He also presented with his colleague Dr. Kate Trusler on “An Engineered Ancient Water System: Water Delivery to a Pompeii House” about how water was delivered to water features in the House of the Hanging Balcony and discoveries at the new excavations of a large villa in Pompeii. The other insightful and engaging presenters at the session were Jessica Totsch, Kate Trusler, Caitlyn Pallas.

Pompeii Field Research, Day 9:Our team is concluding its highly successful field trip to Naples Bay—rich in new discover...
03/12/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 9:

Our team is concluding its highly successful field trip to Naples Bay—rich in new discoveries and strengthened by invaluable relationships. Today, Wayne Lorenz, Giuseppe Illiano, Spencer Perry, and Jamie Akens met with Rafaele Martinelli, Director of Archaeology in Pompeii, as Mr. Martinelli's team dives into the latest discoveries of the boiler system and bath complex.

Some highlights of this research trip were:

• Visiting a recently excavated private bath in Pompeii, not yet open to tourism, which features a remarkably intact hot water/boiler system, complete with lead piping and an ‘expansion tank’—a fascinating glimpse into ancient engineering.

• Studying a newly documented mosaic fountain in the Suburban Bath—an exciting addition to their growing catalog of mosaic fountains, one of our favorite architectural features.

• Identifying five previously unrecorded aqueduct segments near the terminus in Bacoli, providing new insights into the original alignment of this impressive infrastructure.

The team says they are grateful for the opportunity to explore the advanced engineering of the Roman Empire and for the connections that make this work possible. Stay tuned to https://www.wrightpaleo.com/gallery-4 for their upcoming trip report, and feel free to reach out with any questions!

Pompeii Field Research, Day 8:Our team recently partnered with the Terra de Palma Campagna Archaeological Group to inves...
03/11/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 8:

Our team recently partnered with the Terra de Palma Campagna Archaeological Group to investigate the main channel of the Augustan Aqueduct. We visited several key sites, including one where the original aqueduct runs parallel to a later Constantinian-era reconstruction—a fascinating glimpse into centuries of engineering evolution. Collaboration with local archaeological groups is essential for this work, granting us access to private properties that house critical aqueduct segments. Each site presents a unique challenge, blending modern infrastructure with ancient remains, making the interpretation of this thousands-year-old network a true puzzle. Exciting discoveries lie ahead as we continue to piece together history, one channel at a time!



We're also posting regular updates at: https://www.wrightpaleo.com/gallery-4

Pompeii Field Research, Day 7:Today, the Pompeii research team, Wayne Lorenz, Spencer Perry, and Jamie Akens, ventured b...
03/10/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 7:

Today, the Pompeii research team, Wayne Lorenz, Spencer Perry, and Jamie Akens, ventured beyond Pompeii to explore the “Fields of Fire” region in Campania, where the Augustan Aqueduct reached its terminus at the Piscina Mirabilis. We visited an immense cistern atop a hill, suspected to have been used for rainwater collection—although further investigation is needed to confirm its purpose. The Piscina Mirabilis is a vast underground reservoir that stored the water that reached the end of the aqueduct. Recently, the conduit that once fed the Piscina Mirabilis was found—offering new insight into where the aqueduct filled the tank. This visit was a reminder of how much remains to be uncovered. Many clues to the past lie hidden, often beneath modern structures, ensuring that there’s always more to learn.

We're also posting regular updates at: https://www.wrightpaleo.com/gallery-4

Pompeii Field Research, Day 6:Today, our team collected GPS points across Pompeii, starting at the Castellum Aquae—the c...
03/09/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 6:

Today, our team collected GPS points across Pompeii, starting at the Castellum Aquae—the city’s main water distribution structure—and at each water tower. These data points help us better understand elevation changes and refine the hydraulic profile of the Pompeian water system. Every day, we uncover new insights and gain an even greater appreciation for the advanced engineering and technology of the Romans.

Pictured: Spencer Perry using the Trimble GPS Unit.

Pompeii Field Research, Day 5:Today, the Pompeii Research Team had the incredible opportunity to visit the Antiquarium d...
03/09/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 5:

Today, the Pompeii Research Team had the incredible opportunity to visit the Antiquarium di Boscoreale, a museum near the Pompeii excavation site. This museum offers a glimpse into the daily life of a rustic farmhouse, featuring a rich collection of artifacts—including casts of both people and animals. One highlight of our visit was investigating a large lead tank, which was reinforced with iron rings, likely for lifting or suspending over a fire. These tanks are especially rare, as lead was heavily scavenged for centuries following the eruption of Vesuvius. 🌋 An amazing day of discovery, deepening our understanding of ancient Roman life!

Pompeii Field Research, Day 4:Today, our Research Team investigated water use in an ancient tannery in Pompeii, where le...
03/07/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 4:

Today, our Research Team investigated water use in an ancient tannery in Pompeii, where leather was cleaned and processed. This well-preserved site featured its own well, 15 built-in vessels for chemical treatments like urea, alum, and lime, and an ingenious water channel system that could automatically fill the vessels.
Photo 1: Wayne Lorenz and Jamie Akens collect measurements on tannery tanks for volume calculations.
Photo 2: 3D scan of Industrial Water Use in Ancient Roman Tannery.
Photo 3. Roman Plug Valves.
Photo 4. Augustan Aqueduct depicted using mosaic tiles (House of Silver Wedding).

Stay tuned for more discoveries throughout the week!

Pompeii Field Research, Day 3:A message from Wayne F. Lorenz, P.E.—"Another beautiful day studying the mosaic fountain i...
03/06/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 3:

A message from Wayne F. Lorenz, P.E.—"Another beautiful day studying the mosaic fountain in a massive Pompeiian House, the Casa Dei Centenario. Our work researching ancient water use continues, and I look forward to learning more about how these intricate fountains were engineered nearly 2,000 years ago."

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the week or follow at: https://lnkd.in/g22zeaXs

Pompeii Field Research, Day 2:The team had a big meeting at the Town of Aiello del Sabato council chamber on the histori...
03/05/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 2:
The team had a big meeting at the Town of Aiello del Sabato council chamber on the historical and engineering heritage of the region. Mayor Sebastiano Gaeta hosted Wayne Lorenz, Spencer Perry, and Jamie Akens of WPI, alongside University of Salerno professor Giovanni De Feo, President of Pro Loco of Bacoli Giuseppe Illiano, Santa Lucia di Serino Mayor Ottaviano Vistocco, President of the Pro Loco of Santa Lucia di Serino Ottaviano De Biase, President Graziano Ferrari of the Cocceius Association, spelologist Raffaella Lamagna, and teachers and students of the Techinical Institute for Surveyors of Avellino, including professor Mario Sabatino. The meeting was covered by the local news.
https://www.irpinianews.it/incontro-di-lavoro-per-valorizzare-lantico-acquedotto-augusteo-della-campania/
Stay tuned for more insights throughout the week or follow at: https://lnkd.in/g22zeaXs

Pompeii Field Research, Day 1: Wayne Lorenz and Spencer Perry of our Design Team (center and right), and Giuseppe Illian...
03/04/2025

Pompeii Field Research, Day 1:

Wayne Lorenz and Spencer Perry of our Design Team (center and right), and Giuseppe Illiano, local Research Associate and Guide (left), have arrived in Pompeii, Italy, to collect more data and uncover new discoveries on Ancient Roman Water Systems ⛲. They are hitting the ground running, discussing site visits and meetings. (Photo by Jamie Akens, not pictured.)

Stay tuned this week for updates from the field!

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