Casting a Lead Water Pipe (Fistula) — Roman Plumbing

Roman lead water pipes (fistulae aquariae) distributed water from aqueduct castellum (distribution tanks) to public fountains, baths, and private homes. They were made by casting a flat sheet of lead, wrapping it around a wooden cylindrical mandrel, and soldering the seam with a lead-tin alloy. Pipe diameters were standardised — Frontinus, the water commissioner under Nerva and Trajan, catalogued at least 25 standard sizes. This blueprint covers the fabrication technique.