Moving Water in Ancient Pammukale, Turkey

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Ancient Pammukale, Turkey is an active geothermal region rather like Yellowstone. It was an ancient resort city during the Roman period and was mainly constructed in the 3rd through 6th century a.d.

While mainly unexcavated, an area of at least 80 acres or so is networked with above ground water conveyances that by all appearances served for irrigation, space heating, DHW, bathing, etc. The water they used for this has a LOT of dissolved calcium bicarbonate which upon exposure to the atmosphere turns to calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide.

The actual channel area of the above ground conveyances was monolithic and built on top of rubble-style walls where necessary to keep things flowing via gravity. I walked along them--including wyes and tees--finding no natural joints. While the ancient Romans did have something very similar to modern cement (formula lost many centuries during the dark ages), I believe it was mainly confined to Italy as it required the use of "special" volcanic rock. These channels [seem] to be the result of natural <I>and intended</I> accumulation of calcium carbonate on top of the walls. <B>Never</B> underestimate the intelligence of the ancients!

You can see the result of this accumulation in the photos of the cliffs. The very regular looking pools against the cliff face are modern with cement underneath. There were a number of resort hotels on site until the 1960s but they were removed by the Turkish government as they began to despoil the cliffs.

Another pic shows the ancient pool sometimes called "Cleopatra's Pool" as she was supposed to have vacationed here with Marc Antony. The original columns (and roof) surrounding the pool have long since collapsed and many fragments of the columns are still in the pool. The pool is naturally fed and still open for public bathing. Temperature is PERFECT! Near the source it's about 98F, VERY deep and filled with natural effervescence of carbon dioxide. Near the outlet the temp drops to around 88F or so. I've bathed in other natural hot springs, but nothing like this! Will say that the "healing powers" of the water, while perhaps not as miraculous as claimed, are real. I spent at least an hour treading water and doing the "dead man's float" in the most effervescent area. My sinuses have NEVER been so clear and a chronic ache in my shoulder (after cervical disc surgery) has not returned for nearly a week!