Glanum Dam, Roman arch dam near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
Glanum Dam is a Roman construction with two curved parallel stone walls connected by a layer of earth and rubble. The structure was designed to collect and hold water for the settlement.
The dam was built in the first half of the first century BC as Rome expanded its presence in the region. It was part of a broader water management system serving the nearby settlement.
The dam demonstrates how Romans managed water resources for their settlements. Its design was integral to supporting the daily needs of the ancient city nearby.
The structure sits on relatively flat ground and is easily accessible from the nearby town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence on foot. Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking to reach the site.
Archaeologists consider this dam one of the oldest known examples of curved architecture in water engineering. Roman builders developed a technique here that was replicated in other regions centuries later.
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