Ancient rainwater harvesting systems in the north-eastern Marmarica (north-western Egypt)
2009; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 40; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1017/s0263718900004489
ISSN2052-6148
AutoresThomas Vetter, Anna‐Katharina Rieger, Alexander Nicolay,
Tópico(s)Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
ResumoAbstract In arid and semi-arid regions runoff-fed agriculture has been common for millennia. Recent geographical and archaeological investigations in the north-eastern part of ancient Marmarica (north-western Egypt) revealed a dense network of water harvesting systems associated with settlements and production sites dating back to Ptolemaic times. The environmental conditions and the ancient water management strategies are characterised by minimal intervention but maximised effect and optimised utilisation of the scarce water (100–150 mm seasonal discharge) and soil resources of the region.
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