Differences between Persian qanats and Roman aqueducts

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Differences between Persian qanats and Roman
aqueducts

• A short explanation and a comparisson
• by W.D. Schram MSc

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Overview

• Introduction on Roman aqueducts
• Introduction about Persian qanats
• Comparison

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Aqueducts basic elements
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Aqueducts tunnels

• A masonry channel inside a tunnel (Cave de Curé,
  Gier aqueduct, Lyon, France)

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Aqueducts bridges

• The world known aqueduct bridge Pont du Gard,
  part of the aqueduct (50 km) of Nimes (France).
• Also represented on the banknotes of 5 euro

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Aqueducts arcade

• Two aqueduct channels (70 and 88 km long, mainly
  subterranean) on top of a series of arches (Rome,
  Italy)

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Aqueducts the users

• Local fountain
• (Gerasa, Jordan)

• Baths (reconstruction)
• (Xanten, Germany)

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The Roman empire
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Roman aqueducts some 1500
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Qanats basic elements
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Qanats from the air

• Persepolis

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Qanats channel and shafts

• Qanat shaft (near Yazd)

• Shaft tops

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Qanats construction

• Muqanni

• Clay rings for reinforcements

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Qanats distribution 1
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Qanats distribution 2

• Tehran (ca 1960 CE)

• Isfahan (1942 CE)

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Qanats distribution 3

• Tafilalt (Maroc)

• Qanats in Syria

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Qanats in Europe 1

• Madrid (Spain)
• Madjira place of qanats

• Near Selb and Asch (Germany)

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Qanats in Europe 2

• The qanat of Walferdange (Luxemburg) with
  stepped channel and access shafts

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Qanats distribution worldwide
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Qanats the users

• Place to scoop water

• Water distribution

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Storage

• Water storage site

• Entrance

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Qanats works of art

• Qanat bridge
• (Kharanaq, Yazd)

• Ice house
• (Yazd)

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Comparison 1 Physical Geography
Element Persian qanat Roman aqueduct
1a. Character of the terrain Alluvial fans in mountainous areas From mountainous to almost flat areas
1b. Climate Mainly in arid regions Semi-arid and wet areas
1c. Source Mother well(s) in an aquifer Spring, river, lake by exception well or aquifer
1d. Type of source Delayed delivery Mainly instant delivery
1e. Place in the landscape 100 subterranean Some 20 above ground
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Comparison 2 Technology
Element Persian qanat Roman aqueduct
2a. Construction Subterranean channel with shafts Masonry channel or pipe, sometimes with manholes
2b. Builders Paid specialists / specialists Slave specialists, contractors, sometimes military personnel
2c. Course Almost straight line Sinuous, following the countour lines
2d. Works of art By exception (bridges, subterrenean dams and mills) Bridges, tunnels, arcades, siphons
2e. Distribution Sluice gates, timesharing systems Castellae divisoria
2f. Storage Only local, with modelst volumes No, behind some large bath houses
2g. Surplus water Reused in other qanats at lower level Flushing sewers and public toilets, fullers
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Comparison 3 Societal
Element Persian qanat Roman aqueduct
3a. Users Irrigation and public use. By exception in private housing for cooling Public use and bathhouses. By exception for industry, private individuals and farmers
3b. Ownership In cooperation (10 250). Sometimes rich individuals Public bodies, town councils
3c. Finance Members of the cooperation Locan maecenas, emporer, town council
3d. Status within society The only water source, essential for life, utilitarian Additional to existing sources, luxery, showcase of pride and power
3e. Present status Many still in use Almost all out of use, some reconstructed
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Conclusions

• Although there are similarities, qanats are quite
  different from roman aqueducts
• Most striking
• The difference in the sources
• The almost straight line of a qanat
• Qanat(s) are often the only source of water
• Almost all Roman aqueducts are out of use

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Problems ?!

• Tehran (2009 CE)

• Nonius Datus (150 CE) (Saldae, Algeria)