Title: Pont du Gard
Date: 1st century BCE
Location: near Nimes, France
We tend to take the small things for granted in life and the art world. One innovation that truly revolutionized construction and architecture was the round stone arch. Although it had been developed earlier, about the 2nd-millennium BCE in Mesopotamia, the Romans were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures, and to tap its full potential for above ground structures.
The Pont du Gard near Nimes, France is an aqueduct: a channel constructed to supply water. However, this is no one trick pony. While the topmost layer safely and efficiently carried water down from the higher ground (can you say pricey mountain spring water?) the bottom level was wide enough to accommodate foot traffic and carts for people and soldiers that were traveling in or through the area. I found a great little video that shows you some of the features of the Pont du Gard, including some nice shots of the spaces left by the Romans to maintain the structure.
May inspiration and creativity be with you!
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