This film of the Pompeian drainage system is actually already quite old – I made it six years ago at Pompeii when I was doing research for my article on urban workshops. Unfortunately, it was one of those days that it just didn’t stop raining, so I got soaked, my ballpoint wouldn’t write, and my camera would stop working every now and then. But then, guess what, later in the afternoon, it stopped, and the sun came through, and I was able to shoot this short film at the Via Stabiana, which collected – as it did in antiquity – most of the rainwater and transported it to the lowest point of the city. It was really amazing to see this entire system functioning – pretty much as it did in antiquity – after 2000 years. Six years later, it is stuff I can use in my classes.
Oh, and there is a short second film which shows the square in front of the stabian baths – and the blockage of the drainage system on its west side causing an enormous pool of rain water.
Miko Flohr, 23/10/2011