ICQHS - Introduction

» 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.

Introduction
Introduction Every newcomer to the central plateau of Iran, Morocco or the Sahara deserts oases (north Africa) encounters rows of wells crossing throughout arid zones up to the outskirts and slopes like stitches on a piece of cloth. They are Qanat shafts connecting the segments of subterranean canals in order to convey the ground water to the appearance.

Qanat definition
A long row of shafts connecting the gallery to the aquifer through a gentle slope so that the underground water can flow and reach the appearance via gravity.

Qanat equivalent terms
The terms applied for qanats exceed 27 in Iran and some other countries benefiting from this hydraulic system.

South eastern Asians use the following words
Ghundat, kona, kunut, kanat, khanat, khad, konait, Ghanat, karez, kah-riz, kah- rez, koroz, kakuriz, koh-riz, chin-Avulz.

North Africans use the following names
Fugara(Faghareh), Feghareh, Fegareh, Mayun, ifli, Negula, khotara, khutara, Rotara

Saudi Arabian terms for qanat
Falaj, Aflaj, falj.

Qanat diagram
Different books include different names and diagrams for qanats, however, they all share the same mechanism. The following diagram indicates a longitudinal section of a qanat.