Qanats and human ecosystems in Iran: with case studies in a city, Ardakan, and a town, Xur (Khoor)

Abstract

The topic of study of this thesis is the qanat system of water supply in relation to human ecosystems in Iran. A qanat is a system of tapping ground water, consisting of an underground tunnel, connected to the surface by a series of shafts, which brings water to the surface by gravity.

Qanats have been constructed and worked for thousands of' years but now they are facing many crises for their continued existence. In order to show the qanat and its importance a brief outline of the physical features of Iran,, historical and social background are presented in Chapters 1 and 2.

In the third chapter the water budget and water supply in Iran is discussed, and in Chapter 4 qanats in Iran are described. Chapter 5 gives a full description of methods Of construction of qanats based on personal observation and interviews with craftsmen. A case study of the qanats of Xur is presented in Chapter 6; Chapter 7 is the second case' study of the qanats of Ardaka4n. Some historical notes and a brief description of the distribution of qanats throughout the world is presented in Chapter 8. The situation of qanats in Iran today and their problems are discussed in Chapter 9 with some recommendation for restoring qanats and insuring their future. Chapter 10 is the summary and conclusion. Some relevant points are described in the appendices.