Considering New Functions in Thermal Bath Buildings: The Singular Heating Water System from the Roman Spa of Termas de São Vicente (Penafiel, Portugal)

The archaeological research we carried out between 2020-2023 (pipa bal-saovicente) in the Roman Spa of Termas de São Vicente, in Penafiel, Portugal, in order obtain a better understanding of this archaeological site preserved in the park of the modern spa, provided us with the opportunity to study a singular water heating system, using a piece of bronze discovered in situ at the beginning of 20th century. In this article, we present the results of the research through the formal, analytical and functional study of this object and its archaeological context, which shed light on a new type of structure used in thermal buildings to heat and evaporate the mineral water used in these Roman mineral-medicinal bath complexes.