Ok, that was a plant. It’s WTF, but not from a recent inspection.
Photograph by Fratelli Alinari, 1931
Reference
Fassitelli, E. Pipe and Valves of Ancient Rome, Petrolieri d’Italia, Milan Italy, 1972.
The boiler made and lead pipes are from 1st century BCE (before the common era)(e.g. before the birth of Christ). Villa della Pisanella in Boscoreale, Italy
The actual boiler pictured has been conserved, but apparently is not on display at this time. WTF!
