Learning from ancient water wisdom

The first traditional irrigation systems, known as Qanats, date back 5,000 to 6,000 years. “It's an impressive example of the adaptability and technical expertise of ancient cultures in arid regions, who developed sustainable water supply methods”, enthuses Mohsen Makki. Equally fascinating is how the concept and mathematical principles of the Qanats spread globally: These irrigation systems were adopted by the Greeks, Romans, and later the Arabs, and were utilized in Europe, East Asia, China, Japan, and South America.

Many areas, such as the Iranian highlands suffered from water scarcity. An ingenious and logical solution was in order resulting in canals built from the water-lacking highlands to groundwater found under nearby mountains. Early engineers crafted these canals with a meticulous eye, ensuring only a slight gradient of less than one percent. This subtle angle was key as it allowed the water to flow up to 110 kilometers from its water-rich source to water-poor areas. 

The success of this system was, in part, based on the very careful allocation of water, which was dispersed to farmers who used the valuable resource sparingly. It was therefore much more than an irrigation system; it was a lifeline between people and their environment.

The magic of Qanats extends beyond merely providing water: Where the water reaches the surface in settlements, it is distributed through canals to households and farmland or gardens. Moreover, where the water surfaces, it becomes the heart of the community, a place around which people gather, share, and thrive. These spots evolve into social hubs, filled with laughter, conversation, and connection. Or, as Mohsen Makki says it: “Where the water flows, happiness flows”.

In Iran, and of course for the professor himself, water is "a symbol of life, survival and cultural prosperity". This is probably why the Qanats were one of the most important sources of water in Iran until the 1960s, supplying more than 60,000 villages. 

The sad truth today is that nearly all of Iran's Qanats have dried up. But despair is not in Mohsen’s vocabulary. He believes, with conviction, that these ancient systems hold lessons of resilience and sustainability for every one of us on how to treat water as a resource with respect and care.

Mohsen leans in as he shares a profound insight into the Qanats. "These ancient waterways," he begins, "aren't a panacea for every challenge we face”. Through the lens of the Qanats, Mohsen invites us to rediscover ancient principles that offer not just practical solutions, but a vision for living in balance with our environment. 

Within these ancient channels lies a blueprint for nurturing and sustaining our communities, now and into the future "…all through the flow of water," he concludes, his message clear. He also knows that sustainable water management requires a collective effort to ensure the availability of clean drinking water for all.