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Traditional Water Technologies in Iran

Author(s): Farhad Yazdandoost

Linked Author(s): Farhad Yazdandoost

Keywords: Rid region; Water management; Qanat; Kariz; Historic water system

Abstract: During the twentieth century, some isolated arid regions progressively became accessible to scientific missions whose goals included discovering how humans adapted to the harsh environment and how they survived. The management of water is the key to answering these questions and understanding the arid world. In facing water scarcity challenges, novel structures and management techniques were utilized under comprehensive water harnessing plans. About 2,500 years ago, Persians invented a number of methods for harnessing groundwater, including a water management system called “Qanat”. Still used today, qanats are built as a series of underground tunnels and wells that bring groundwater to the surface. Practical flow measurement and water distribution techniques alongside respecting water quality and water ethics were evidently part of a greater water culture in this arid-semi arid region of the world. The word for water in Persian, ab (pronounced as? b), consists of two letters: A and B. Water is therefore, appropriately regarded as the alphabet of life, survival, and reclamation. Other ancient civilizations in the arid-semi arid regions of the world have shared the same novel approaches in water resources management.

DOI:

Year: 2016

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