Barbegal aqueduct Facts for Kids

The Barbegal aqueduct and mill is an amazing ancient Roman watermill complex. It is located near the town of Arles in southern France. This site shows how clever Roman engineers were. They built a huge industrial complex to grind grain into flour for the city of Arles.

What Was the Barbegal Mill?
- How Did the Mills Work?
  - The Aqueduct's Journey
  - Powering the Mills
- Why Was Barbegal So Important?
  - An Ancient Factory
Discovering the Ancient Site
- What Can You See Today?
  - A Glimpse into Roman Life
Images for kids
See also

What Was the Barbegal Mill?

The Barbegal mill was not just one mill, but a series of 16 watermills built side-by-side. It was one of the largest and most powerful industrial sites in the ancient world. This complex was built around the end of the 1st century AD. It worked for about 200 years, until the end of the 3rd century AD.

How Did the Mills Work?

The Barbegal mill used the power of water to turn large grinding stones. Water was brought to the site by a special channel called an aqueduct. This aqueduct carried water from a spring about 10 kilometers (6 miles) away.

The Aqueduct's Journey

The aqueduct was built with great skill. It brought water from the Eygalières hills, passing through the town of Arles. Before reaching the mills, the aqueduct split into two branches. One branch went to the city of Arles for drinking water. The other branch went straight to the Barbegal mill complex.

Powering the Mills

At the mill site, the water flowed down a steep hillside. The engineers built a series of 16 waterwheels, one below the other, in two parallel lines. Each wheel was an "overshot" wheel. This means the water flowed over the top of the wheel, pushing it down and making it spin. As each wheel turned, it powered a large stone mill that ground grain.

Why Was Barbegal So Important?

The Barbegal mill was very important for the city of Arles. Arles was a large Roman city with many people. They needed a lot of flour to make bread. The Barbegal complex could grind huge amounts of grain every day.

An Ancient Factory

Historians believe the Barbegal mill could produce about 4.5 tons of flour per day. This was enough to feed around 12,500 people. This shows that the Romans were capable of large-scale industrial production, much like factories today. It was a true "bread factory" for the Roman army and citizens.

Discovering the Ancient Site

Today, you can still see the remains of the Barbegal aqueduct and mill. The site is a fascinating place to visit. It helps us understand how advanced Roman engineering was.

What Can You See Today?

When you visit Barbegal, you can see the stone foundations of the mill buildings. You can also see parts of the aqueduct that brought the water. The way the mills were arranged on the hillside is still clear. It helps you imagine how the water flowed down, turning each wheel.

A Glimpse into Roman Life

The Barbegal mill is a great example of Roman technology. It shows how they used natural resources like water to create powerful machines. It also reminds us that even thousands of years ago, people needed efficient ways to produce food. The Barbegal complex was a vital part of daily life in Roman Arles.