The Ancient Hydraulic Infrastructure of Wādi eṣ-Ṣader near Petra, Southern Jordan
The Ancient Hydraulic Infrastructure of Wādi eṣ-Ṣader near Petra, Southern Jordan

Summary/Abstract: Intensive investigations of the archaeological remains at agricultural sites and water springs may provide a wealth of information. The remains, recently revealed in the vicinity of eṣ-Ṣader spring3, inspired the authors to investigate the area in and around Wādī eṣ-Ṣader. These explorations have enhanced our knowledge about the importance of this spring in the lives of the inhabitants of Wādī Moūsā as early as the Nabataean period. The existing archaeological evidence in this region, which will be discussed in this paper, includes remains of Nabataean terracotta water pipelines as well as Islamic water mills. In addition, the paper includes a discussion on some of the ancient toponyms either mentioned in the Petra archive and other place names which are of Aramaic origin. The latter indicates that these were used when Aramaic was the lingua franca in the region during the Nabataean period. Additionally, the inherited water traditions in the study area are presented in an attempt to trace their historical origin. Finally, the importance of terrace cultivation in this region through ages is also highlighted.

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