Cannabaceae

Fosso dei Costaroni, remains of an Etruscan cuniculus at Formello.

A cuniculus, plural cuniculi, is a diversionary water channel, used by ancient civilizations on the Italian Peninsula. As the general ancient Italian use derives from the Etruscan use, the term has a special significance of Etruscan cuniculi. The city of Veii was noted for them. The Italian community of Formello to the north of Veii was named after the numerous cuniculi there.[1]

Cuniculi could take any form from trenches to a complex system of tunnels. The uses were multiple: irrigation, drainage, diversion, supply, and so on. The Romans used the cuniculi of Veii to mine into the citadel.

Cuniculi have multiple purposes. One of them was to keep villages and cities safe from erosion. North-west of Rome 42 km of cuniculi have been discovered; more than 22 km in and around Veii.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Everitt, A (2012), The Rise of Rome, page 122.
  2. ^ from: Time Life "The Etruscs" p. 23 second column, p. 24 first column (Dutch edition)

One thought on “Cannabaceae

  1. Well, that’s interesting to know that Psilotum nudum are known as whisk ferns. Psilotum nudum is the commoner species of the two. While the P. flaccidum is a rare species and is found in the tropical islands. Both the species are usually epiphytic in habit and grow upon tree ferns. These species may also be terrestrial and grow in humus or in the crevices of the rocks.
    View the detailed Guide of Psilotum nudum: Detailed Study Of Psilotum Nudum (Whisk Fern), Classification, Anatomy, Reproduction

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