The Role of Water in Production Processes in Antiquity

Water is required in many production processes, both now and in the past. Butwater studies have traditionally focused on the analysis of water supply structures,in particular on aqueducts and monumental fountains, leaving aside most of the usesgiven to this precious liquid after bringing it into the urban settlements. Apartfrom the baths - already included in water studies decades ago - ClassicalArchaeologist have only recently begun to take into consideration other uses ofwater. Nevertheless, the uses related directly to productive activities have neverbeen properly addressed. Agriculture, pottery or glass production, buildingmaterials and construction techniques, are very common issues in recent research,however, the study of the different processes related to each of those activitieshas aroused much less interest and the role of water within these processes has beentotally neglected. This volume includes four papers that are a first attempt tostudy water in production processes in the Roman period and in LateAntiquity.