Harvard Art Museums > 1977.216.190: INSCRIBED LEAD PIPE(VESPA SIA APTVS CA.-SPEC CHARS REGIST. CARD) Fragments Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"INSCRIBED LEAD PIPE(VESPA SIA APTVS CA.-SPEC CHARS REGIST. CARD) , 1977.216.190,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Apr 26, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/287785. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1977.216.190 Title INSCRIBED LEAD PIPE(VESPA SIA APTVS CA.-SPEC CHARS REGIST. CARD) Classification Fragments Work Type fragment Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/287785 Physical Descriptions Medium Lead Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Gift of Pfeiffer-Hartwell Collection Accession Year 1977 Object Number 1977.216.190 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description Fragment of a lead water pipe. Inscription reads: VESPA SIA APTVS CA. Commentary LIVE LIKE A ROMAN: DAILY LIFE OBJECT COLLECTION The Romans were the first to develop plumbing for transporting water into homes and buildings. The most common material for creating pipes was lead. The English word "plumbing" derives from the Latin word for lead (plumbum), which can also be seen as they symbol for lead on the period table, "Pb." Though modern heath issues have been traced to the used of lead pipes, the Romans were rarely poisoned by them and did not know of the danger posed by the material. Roman water contained a large amount of calcium, which would build up a layer inside the pipes and prevent lead from permeating the water. Pipes were made by pouring sheets of lead, then bending them into a cylinder shape and soldering the edges. Diameters ranged depending upon the intended use of the pipe and how much water would flow through it. Because plumbing was so prized, owners would inscribe their lead pipes in order to prevent theft. The inscription would name the either the manufacturer of the pipe or the owner. The pipes were inscribed with bronze stamps similar to those used on bricks and amphorae (see the stamped brick and amphora handle in this collection, as well as the bronze brick stamp). [Jessica Pesce 8/19/2010] Verification Level This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
