The Qanat: a multidisciplinary and diachronic approach to the study of groundwater catchment systems in archaeology: Introduction of the Special Issue 'The qanat: Archaeology and Environment'

摘要

Abstract The qanāt , as a traditional, low-cost, sustainable, water distribution system, was fundamental for the settlement of arid environments. This brief introduction to the special issue “The Qanāt : Archaeology and Environment” presents an overview of a workshop of the same name, held at Durham University in October 2014, and introduces the key themes that are explored through the papers in this volume. It also lays out the basis of an interdisciplinary research agenda for qanāt studies in archaeology.