Building The Baths
Many skilled craftsmen were needed to build the baths. Local stonemasons and skilled sculptors like Sulinus could work with many different kinds of stone and their tools were similar to those used today. The baths were mainly built by the army as 1/10 of the army were architects or engineers, and local stonemasons helped too. It is said that when the Romans left, the bathhouse collapsed because the Romans' 'skill left'! They used tools and techniques found throughout the Roman world. They were instructed by architects and supported by slaves.
The baths were built from a range of materials:
Brick Making
Roman potters made these bricks from local clay. They were fired in large kilns and used for many different purposes in building the baths. Large numbers were made in this way. Brick making was a significant new industry brought to Britain.
The baths were built from a range of materials:
- 'Bath stone' – local stone, which was limestone held together by lime mortar.
- Arch Brick was used in a small arch, perhaps over a corridor. The pattern was combed onto it before firing, to help the mortar stick to it.
- Hollow bricks - These formed the vault of the Great Bath and reduced its weight.. It is estimated that over 20000 were used in its construction.
- Roof bricks - These flat bricks were often used in making walls, but here in Bath they were also used to strengthen vaulted roofs.
- Floor bricks - Two bricks used for supporting the floors in the heated rooms. One crick has the paw prints of a dog who ran over it as it dried before firing!
- Timber roofs – but as wood and hot water don't really go well together, it... failed...
- Lead from imperial lead mines
Brick Making
Roman potters made these bricks from local clay. They were fired in large kilns and used for many different purposes in building the baths. Large numbers were made in this way. Brick making was a significant new industry brought to Britain.
The Hypocaust!
Layers and layers of tiles formed the pillars that held up the floor of the baths. Hot air from the furnace could circulate through the gap under the floor and warm the floor. The tiles had scratch marks (diamond in shape) to increase friction but they may have also been a maker's mark. Mosaics tiled the floors which exuded grandeur in the baths.
Flue tiles were hollow tiles lining the walls of the baths so hot air could rise up the flues (channels) and warm the walls as well
Flue tiles were hollow tiles lining the walls of the baths so hot air could rise up the flues (channels) and warm the walls as well
Controlling The Water
In the 1st century AD, Roman engineers built a stone-walled reservoir around the Sacred Spring to supply hot water to the baths, The overflow […our] left was built into the east wall of the reservoir. From here, water pours into the main drain and flows beneath your feet into the river Avon.
The Sacred Spring Overflow
Here surplus water from the spring pours into a Roman drain and flows on to the river. The overflow to your left was built into the east wall of the reservoir. From here, water pours into the main drain and flows beneath your feet into the river Avon.
The Sacred Spring Overflow
Here surplus water from the spring pours into a Roman drain and flows on to the river. The overflow to your left was built into the east wall of the reservoir. From here, water pours into the main drain and flows beneath your feet into the river Avon.