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Ancient rainwater harvesting systems in the north-eastern Marmarica (north-western Egypt)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2015

Thomas Vetter ,
Anna-Katharina Rieger  and
Alexander Nicolay
Thomas Vetter
Affiliation:
University of Leipzig, Department of Geography
Anna-Katharina Rieger
Affiliation:
University of Halle-Wittenberg, Department of Oriental Art and Archaeology
Alexander Nicolay
Affiliation:
University of Halle-Wittenberg, Department of Geography
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Abstract

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.

Type
Articles
Information
Libyan Studies , Volume 40 , 2009 , pp. 9 - 23
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Libyan Studies 2009

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