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Canals and Aqueducts in the Ancient World

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Encyclopedia of Geoarchaeology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

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Introduction

People of the ancient world understood that geophysical and climatic anomalies could alter the environments that permitted the growth of comestible agricultural resources for urban and rural populations. When their technical capability proved adequate, they were able to modify water supply systems to sustain agricultural productivity through times of environmental change. When technological solutions or adaptations to other resources were not possible, societal transformation and/or collapse followed, leaving archaeological remains that now testify to the lack of appropriate technology, management, or manpower to overcome the deteriorating resource base. Water for urban and agricultural use is vital to sustainability. When the collapse of agricultural systems is manifest in the archaeological record, remains of canals, aqueducts, water storage, and transport systems provide vital geoarchaeological clues detailing how and why failure occurred. These clues often point to...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CFD Consultants International, Ltd., University of Chicago, 18310 Southview Avenue, Los Gatos, CA, 95033-8537, USA

    Charles R. Ortloff

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  1. Charles R. Ortloff
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Correspondence to Charles R. Ortloff .

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  1. Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA

    Allan S. Gilbert

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Ortloff, C.R. (2017). Canals and Aqueducts in the Ancient World. In: Gilbert, A.S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geoarchaeology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4409-0_141

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