ICQHS - Mr. Ali mohammad and Javad Hatami

» Inauguration of the water museum coincided with the international symposium on Qanat in Yazd [May2000] brought about a situation in which qanat digging equipment could exhibit our cultural legacy partially to remind every individual of the diligence and sustainability of the people once lived here.

History Of Qanat

» Henry Gubler believes that around 800 BC. coal miners in north eastern Iran improvised some canals in order to extract the water from the coal mines. The technology was gradually applied by farmers and spread all over the plateau of Iran. About 525 BC. it reached Oman and Saudi Arabia by Iranians and Persian campaigns conveyed this technology through Egypt about 500 BC.
Qanat was introduced to Africans by Muslims and Yafuga (a Qanat) was created in Madrid by Muslims about 750 BC. The Spanish initiated qanats in Mexico in 1520 AD. From there, it was taken to Los Angeles in 1520 AD. This Hydraulic system was spotted in Chile , too. Creation of qanats in Asia enjoys great antiquity as well.

A chat with the qanat practitioner Mr. Ali mohammad and Javad Hatami

The Qanat practitioner Ali Mohammad was born in 1939 and has been working in qanat galleries since he was seven years old. He has inherited Qanat know- how from his father & grandpa. He makes his living through farming as well. Description of his labouring days illustrates his great diligence for the populousness of Tehran, Hamedan , Qazvin, Ashtian and Abbe- yek. Mr. Gholam Reza Hatami (Mohammad Ali's nephew) was born in Rezvanshar (20km to Yzad) in 1949. Qanat digging has been hereditary in his household so that he himself has been challenging throughout the gallery for forty years. Creating qanats in Damghan, Mashhad, Lorestan, Fars and Tehran is his great honor.