Ammon News - During construction work on Brusselsestraat in Leuven, a Roman-era wooden water pipe was discovered, according to the city council on Wednesday.

Archaeologists describe the discovery as “remarkable and unique.” Under normal circumstances, a wooden water pipe would not have survived for such a long period. However, the waterlogged soil conditions on Brusselsestraat made it possible.

At a depth of about 4 meters, archaeologists found a wooden water pipe running the entire length of the construction pit, totaling 20 to 30 meters. The pipe consisted of several tree trunks, each about 1.75 meters long. Remains of what could have been a pumping installation were also found on the tree trunks.

The pipe probably also runs under the houses on Goudbloemstraat and under Brusselsestraat. Under normal circumstances, a wooden water pipe would never have survived for such a long period of time.

Wooden water pipes have also been found in Tienen and Tongeren, for example, but the wood is mostly rotten or completely decayed. This was possible due to the marshy ground on Brusselsestraat. Brussels Times