Comprendre et connaître le mode de fonctionnement de l’hypocauste : Apport d’une étude comparative (kang et glorias)

This article compares the hypocaust with two similar heating systems from different eras and regions: the Chinese kang and the Hispanic glorias. The main interest of this study lies in the fact that the kang and the glorias are still in use nowadays and so are the subject of more advanced technical studies than has been possible for the hypocaust. This article therefore lists the likenesses but also the differences between the different systems while placing particular emphasis on the functional elements of the kang and the glorias that may enlighten the working of the hypocaust. By undertaking this comparative study, we hope to enrich our reflection of new bibliographical references and research criteria that may have gone unnoticed until now.