Groundwater utilization through the centuries focusing οn the Hellenic civilizations [Utilisation de l’eau souterraine à travers les siècles se focalisant sur les civilisations grecques] [Αξιοποίηση των υπόγειων νερών διαμέσου των αιώνων με έμφαση στους Ελληνικούς πολιτισμούς] [L’utilizzo durante i secoli delle acque sotterranee nella civiltà ellenica] [تفاده از آب های زیرزمینی در قرون متمادی با در نظر گرفتن تمدن های یونان] [Utilização das águas subterrâneas através dos séculos com foco nas civilizações helênicas] [Utilización del agua subterránea a través de los siglos enfocando sobre las civilizaciones helénicas]

Abstract

Groundwater has been utilized since the Prehistoric times. Water supply of some Minoan settlements on the eastern side of the island of Crete (Greece) was based on groundwater. Later on, many wells were constructed in several areas of Greece and their use expanded through subsequent periods. The greatest achievement in groundwater exploitation by ancient Greeks was the construction of long underground galleries or qanats, which collected water from springs and alluvial deposits. In Classical times, most of the wells were on private properties and their owners were forced by regulations to maintain the wells in good condition and ready for use in wartime. During that period, the first scientific theories of Aristotle and Theophrastus were developed in regards to hydrological phenomena, and the processes involved in the formation of surface water and groundwater were clarified. Wells played a major part in urban water supply during the Roman period, in which famous aqueducts were constructed to transfer water; however, several regions of Greece were self-sufficient in water, supplied by many wells from the Prehistoric to the Byzantine period. People understood the local geological conditions and, according to their culture, constructed and managed their own types of wells. In addition to the wells and aqueducts, the hydraulic technology included cisterns to store rainwater, and systems to capture spring water for transport by aqueducts. The examples of hydro-technologies and water management practices described in this paper may have some relevance for water engineering even in modern times. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg