Water Supply in Pre-Desert Areas along the Limes

This paper analyzes the theme of water supply in desert areas, particularly along the southern limes of the Roman Empire in the African prov- inces. Water usually does not lack in the desert areas: there are springs, around which small and large oases develop, but generally there is also a big underground aquifer, made accessible in many cases through pit digging. The photo- graphic survey that Jean Baradez did in the 40s of the 20th century, flying over hundreds of miles of Algerian limes, testifies to the large presence of sources, channels, tanks, in direct connection with settlements, production structures and crops related to Roman life along the limes.