Ancient Nabatean water harvesting and delivery systems in Petra

Pnt, Jordan

Petra, a world heritage site, has one of the most elaborate, fairly well preserved ancient water supply systems in the Mediterranean region. PNT surveyed the entire water supply system, engaged in excavation and restoration projects that provided for the first time clear and undeniable archaeological evidence for the construction, functioning and the dating of Petra water works.

The study revealed that at its final stage, the spring water supply system of Petra covered the entire area of the city basin, bringing spring water from the East, South and North into the city. The location of the end reservoirs show that all four quarters of the city had their own aqueduct.Normally public fountains provided the inhabitants of Petra with drinking water, but some of the most prestigious houses were directly connected with the public reservoirs.

Excavations in the Siq have clearly shown that the terracotta pipes with which the aqueduct was built are the oldest ones known to have been manufactured on the potter's wheel.