Kariz (Qanat or Roman Aqueduct) is an old knowledge that has been used in more than 35 countries. Kariz, previously recognized as a water management technology, involves horizontal subsurface galleries and vertical monitoring shafts, which works based on natural gravity force. This paper reviews various geoengineering and environmental impacts studies that have been carried out on Kariz networks during recent decades.
Other emerging impacts of Kariz systems as an environmentally-friendly technology, its impacts on tourism attraction, land subsidence, and water management have been explored here. Due to modern lifestyle and demand for clean water as a result of population growth, especially in semi-arid or arid climates, this review study aims to explore the important role of Kariz system as a sustainable way of underground water management!
Zarch Kariz | Longest Underground Ancient Water Management System | UNESCO Heritage Site.
An Ancient Invention for Water Management in Desert Zārch is a plain Kariz with a gallery length of 80 km, its mother well is 90 m deep and has more than a thousand well shafts. It is still functional despite the sharp decline in the aquifer’s water levels. According to the existing documents, this Kariz dates back to preIslamic Era. History books too, indicate that this Kariz had been running across Yazd city about 700 years ago and people used its water for drinking and sanitation purposes through pāyābs which are a kind of access corridors. The starting point of this Kariz is in a village of Fahraj located in the north east of Yazd. The Kariz runs at the depth of 30-40 m beneath the city of Yazd. Then it reaches Zārch, where the water is used for irrigation in lower lands of the city of Yazd. The history of Zārch Kariz can be studied in terms of the formation of Zārch city, the age of the hydraulic structures built over it and in terms of existing historical documents. The history of Zārch city not only can be found in history books, but also myths, fables and epic stories mention it frequently, all of which are indicative of its long history. Now if we consider this Kariz as the factor behind the formation of this city, it is as old as the city itself. The study of the history of Kariz of Zārch shows that it has been frequently mentioned in various references. A sample of this references is a history book written by Ja’fari in the 1500 AD. This historian writes: “KAriz of Zārch enjoys two branches, one is outside the city and the other flows into the city. It is one of the oldest Kariz. During the invasion of the enemy forces, when they surrounded the city and blocked the water resources, it was the only water resource for the residents. To access water, people have to climb down 70 steps. Although it tastes a little bit salty, when it is cold it tastes fresh”. The hydraulic structures built over or close to this Kariz are another proof for its long history. Based on the results of studies conducted, some of the well shafts date back to pre-Islamic Era. The sections of these well shafts are rectangular in the bottom. Experts maintain that such well shapes were mostly common during Zoroastrian period, and in local dialect such well shafts are known as “Gabri” (Zoroastrian) wells. In addition to Kariz itself, some of the pāyābs in this area are very old and their names have been mentioned in history books. The book entitled The New History of Yazd holds that the pāyāb of Masjed-e Jāmé Yazd has been constructed during Alaud-Daulla reign in 1480 AD. The archaeological researches conducted about Kariz of Zārch attribute it Archimedean Era. The bricks of 40×40×10 cm thickness obtained from the remains of Zārch castle belong to Archimedean Era. Some ceramic pieces belonging to Sassanid Period have also been found in the upper parts of Kariz of Zārch. If we place the records for the formation of Zārch city beside other historical references, we can conclude that the age of this Kariz most likely goes back to pre-Islamic Era. Needless to say that this Kariz has been fully operational during 1200-1300 AD supplying potable water for the people of Yazd, meanwhile the residents of Zārch used its water for irrigation, sanitation and consumption purposes. Therefore, this Kariz is among the oldest Karizes. On the other hand, this Kariz enjoys numerous pāyābs, some of which are very old. The New History of Yazd, as a sample of numerous history books says that Alaud-Daulla ruler of Yazd had a Masjed-e Jāmé built in Yazd and beside it a pāyāb to access the water of Kariz. “And Alaud-Daulla constructed a mosque where Arsalān Khātun had constructed the minaret and beside the minaret built a dome, then he joined a branch of Zārch to the back side of the masque. Read more: https://surfiran.com/zarch-qanat-3000-years-old-water-management-system/#ixzz7cDLMbu5Z
To read more:(
1) A project on Environmental and Engineering aspects of Kariz & Roman Aqueducts.
(2) Scientific paper which reviews Kariz/Aqueducts
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