A network of ancient storm drains deep under Pompeii are in such good condition that they are to be used again.
There are nearly 500 metres of the drains, which are big enough to hold a human and were little affected when the city was buried in ash and pumice by Mount Vesuvius’s eruption in AD79. Experts who have explored them concluded that they were in working order.
“The entrances to the drains were blocked but since we have problems today with flooding from rain we will start using them again,” Massimo Osanna, the director of the site, said. “The fact we can do this is testament to the excellent engineering skills at the time.”
The drains run about 3m below ground from the Forum
