{"id":15149,"date":"2017-06-12T08:14:19","date_gmt":"2017-06-12T08:14:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/?p=15149"},"modified":"2026-01-23T11:30:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T11:30:47","slug":"zarch-qanat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/zarch-qanat\/","title":{"rendered":"Zarch Qanat – A 3,000 Years Old Water Management System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Qanat of Z\u0101rch <\/strong>is a plain qanat<\/a> with a gallery length of 80 km, its mother well is 90 m deep and has more than a thousand well shafts. It is still functional despite the sharp decline in the aquifer\u2019s water levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the existing documents, this qanat dates back to pre Islamic Era. History books too, indicate that this qanat had been running across Yazd city about 700 years ago and people used its water<\/a> for drinking and sanitation purposes through p\u0101y\u0101bs which are a kind of access corridors.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Qanat
Qanat of Zarch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The starting point of this qanat is in a village of Fahraj located in the north east of Yazd. The qanat runs at the depth of 30-40 m beneath the city of Yazd. Then it reaches Z\u0101rch, where the water is used for irrigation in lower lands of the city of Yazd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The history of Qanat<\/a> <\/strong>of Z\u0101rch can be studied in terms of the formation of Z\u0101rch city, the age of the hydraulic structures built over it and in terms of existing historical documents. The history of Z\u0101rch city not only can be found in history books, but also myths, fables and epic stories mention it frequently, all of which are indicative of its long history. Now if we consider this qanat as the factor behind the formation of this city, it is as old as the city itself.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Qanat
Qanat of Z\u0101rch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The study of the history of Qanat of Z\u0101rch shows that it has been frequently mentioned in various references. A sample of this references is a history book written by Ja\u2019fari in the 1500 AD. This historian writes: \u201cQanat of Z\u0101rch enjoys two branches, one is outside the city and the other flows into the city. It is one of the oldest qanat. During the invasion of the enemy forces, when they surrounded the city and blocked the water resources, it was the only water resource for the residents. To access water, people have to climb down 70 steps. Although it tastes a little bit salty, when it is cold it tastes fresh\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Zarch
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Zarch
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Zarch
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Zarch Qanat<\/a> of Yazd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The hydraulic structures built over or close to this qanat are another proof for its long history. Based on the results of studies conducted, some of the well shafts date back to pre-Islamic Era. The sections of these well shafts are rectangular in the bottom. Experts maintain that such well shapes were mostly common during Zoroastrian period, and in local dialect such well shafts are known as \u201cGabri\u201d (Zoroastrian) wells. In addition to qanat itself, some of the p\u0101y\u0101bs in this area are very old and their names have been mentioned in history books. The book entitled The New History of Yazd holds that the p\u0101y\u0101b of Masjed-e J\u0101m\u00e9 Yazd has been constructed during Alaud-Daulla reign in 1480 AD.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Qanat
Payab, qanat of zarch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The archaeological researches conducted about Qanat of Z\u0101rch attribute it Archimedean Era. The bricks of 40\u00d740\u00d710 cm thickness obtained from the remains of Z\u0101rch castle belong to Archimedean Era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some ceramic pieces belonging to Sassanid Period have also been found in the upper parts of Qanat of Z\u0101rch. If we place the records for the formation of Z\u0101rch city beside other historical references, we can conclude that the age of this qanat most likely goes back to pre-Islamic Era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zarch Qanat of Yazd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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