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Geographical Reference:: Represented place: Luxembourg | Bourmicht | Bertrange

Description:: In the course of an emergency excavation in April 1998, a double-cylinder wooden pump was discovered at the Roman villa of Bertrange - Bourmicht. It was inside a well 1.50 m in diameter and 4.90 m deep, in annex 5 of the domain. The latter had been transformed into a small fort during the second half of the 3rd century AD.

The wood was dated by dendrochronology to be from approximately 260 AD. The pump was recovered in an excellent state of conservation, as it had spent centuries in a humid environment conducive to the preservation of wood.

Because it was found complete with all its constituent elements, archaeologists were able to understand its precise technical operation: two pistons activated from the outside sucked up the water and raised it five metres to the surface through pipes.

To prevent sludge from entering the pump, a sort of corrugated wooden filter/basket with holes had been fitted at the bottom. A leather-covered lead plate at the end of the pistons ensured a perfect seal. The pumped water was carried to the villa through wooden pipes that were assembled by iron rings.

Of the thirty or so similar pumps found in the western provinces of the Roman Empire, the Bertrange pump is undoubtedly the best preserved.