Traditional water management systems in Egypt

Cultnat, Egypt

Traditional water management systems in Egypt range from runoff harvesting systems on the Mediterranean Coast to the use of artificial methods to make the best use of Nile summer floods. CULTNAT made a survey of all the different traditional and historical water harvesting method with a focus on the ancient water works in the Faiyum oasis.

CULTNAT confirmed archaeologically the legend of the construction of a reservoir and water works by the kings of the Middle Kingdom (2055-1550 BC) and succeeded in resolving the mystery of where the reservoir mentioned by Herodotus (Moeris Lake) was situated. The impact of climate change on the Middle Kingdom dams and on later developments in the Faiyum were examined with important implications for our current understanding of climate change and its consequences.

CULTNAT also studied the possibilities of restoring and valorizing the ancient water works