بررسی معماری قنات و معرفی قناتهای شهر قزوین
محورهای موضوعی : باستان شناسی
1 - گروه تاریخ و باستان شناسی ، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد علوم و تحقیقات، تهران، ایران
کلید واژه: ایران, قزوین, معماری, قنات, آب.,
چکیده مقاله :
در تمامی فرهنگها از جمله ایران، عنصر آب نمادی از سازندگی، پاکی و آبادانی شناخته میشود. به دلیل اهمیت زیاد آن، بهعنوان یکی از عناصر چهارگانه تشکیل دهنده حیات معرفی شده است. اهمیت و جایگاه آب در گذشته و از جمله در ایران به حدی بود که موجب نیایش الهه آب توسط ایرانیان شد. از طرف دیگر این سرزمین از گذشته های دور، همیشه با بحران کم آبی و نیز معضل خشکسالی روبهرو بوده است، بر همین أساس همیشه مردمان این سرزمین برای این عنصر حیاتی احترام و اهمیت زیادی قائل بودند و تلاش داشتند با ایجاد سازوکارهایی، آب، این عنصر هستیبخش را برای استفاده مردمان خود تامین و ذخیره سازند. یکی از عمدهترین منابع تامین آب، قنات میباشد که اولین بار نیز توسط ایرانیان ابداع و احداث گردید. قزوین نیز از جمله شهرهایی میباشد که از گذشته با بحران کم آبی روبهرو بوده و مردمان آن تا حدود قرن چهارم هجری از آب چاه استفاده میکردند و نخستین قناتها در این شهر در زمان غزنویان احداث میگردد و تا حدود سده هفتم نیز قناتهای دیگری ساخته میشود. لذا در مقاله پیشرو و به روش توصیفی-تاریخی به بررسی ساختمان و معماری قنات پرداخته و در نهایت مهمترین قناتهای شهر قزوین معرفی میگردند.
Extended Abstract
Water is a symbol of creation, purity, and prosperity in many cultures, including Iran. Due to its critical importance, water has been revered and considered one of the four essential elements for life. Throughout history, Iran has faced water shortages and droughts, leading its people to develop mechanisms to preserve and distribute water for human use. One of the primary water sources in Iran is the qanat system, which was first invented and constructed by Iranians. Qazvin, a city historically struggling with water scarcity, began using qanats during the Ghaznavid period. This article examines the architecture and structure of qanats, with a focus on the qanats of Qazvin, utilizing a descriptive-historical approach.
Introduction
Ancient civilizations developed complex water management systems to address water scarcity in arid regions. In Iran, qanats were vital for the expansion of agriculture and urban development, particularly during the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods (Saatsaz & Rezaei, 2021). These subterranean channels, alongside dams and canals, formed part of a centralized water management system (Saatsaz & Rezaei, 2023). Similar hydraulic systems were found in other dry regions such as Nasca (Peru) and Morocco (Morocco), where local materials and techniques adapted to environmental challenges (Esenarro et al., 2023). Ancient Iranians also developed institutional frameworks for water resource management, combining engineering with governance (Gholikandi et al., 2013). However, political instability, inadequate investment, and the prioritization of political considerations over social welfare led to a decline in water management capabilities after the Islamic Golden Age (Saatsaz & Rezaei, 2021). Today, Iran faces similar water-related challenges, emphasizing the need to integrate traditional and modern water management techniques (Saatsaz & Rezaei, 2023). The qanat system, which originated in central Iran, remains an effective and sustainable method of groundwater extraction, enabling human settlement in dry areas for thousands of years (Ghaderian, 2022).
Methodology
Qanats have been a primary water supply system in various regions of Iran, including Qazvin, where numerous qanats were constructed over time. Some of these qanats still exist, while others have unfortunately disappeared. One significant qanat, "Tafori," was recently discovered during excavation for a commercial building in the Darb-Koshk neighborhood of Qazvin, although it was found to be completely destroyed. This study adopts a historical-cultural approach, relying on both library sources and fieldwork to collect data and analyze the qanat architecture in Qazvin. Fieldwork involved on-site visits to assess the remaining qanats and gather physical evidence to support the research. Additionally, historical records and books on qanat construction in Iran were utilized to provide context and historical insight into the qanat system.
Discussion
Qanats are one of the most remarkable and innovative human inventions designed to address the fundamental need for water in arid and semi-arid regions. The qanat system emerged as a solution to water scarcity in Iran, where the climatic conditions made conventional surface irrigation systems impractical. Unlike traditional water transport systems, qanats tap into groundwater sources, allowing water to flow via gravity through underground channels from higher elevations to lower, arid areas. This method minimizes water loss due to evaporation, a critical issue in Iran's hot and dry climate.
The construction of qanats is a complex process that involves identifying suitable areas where groundwater is accessible, often in mountain foothills. Once a location is chosen, experts known as "moghani" (master qanat builders) use traditional tools and their deep knowledge of the land to determine the slope and distance needed for the water to travel. Over time, qanats have been integrated into the local culture and economy. They support not only domestic and agricultural water needs but also contribute to the growth of settlements and the development of trade.
In Qazvin, a city in northern Iran, the construction of qanats dates back to the Ghaznavid period, and by the 7th century, many qanats were established, playing a crucial role in addressing the city’s water needs. The importance of qanats in Qazvin can be seen through their historical and cultural significance. The qanat system enabled the development of agriculture and facilitated the expansion of the city, making it an economic and political center in the region. In fact, many Iranian cities, including Qazvin, were designed around these water systems, with urban growth and trade often occurring in areas where qanats provided reliable access to water.
Despite their historical success, many qanats are now under threat due to urbanization, neglect, and changes in water management practices. The destruction of qanats like the Tafori Qanat in Qazvin highlights the need for efforts to preserve this ancient water management system. The integration of modern techniques with traditional systems may provide a sustainable solution to address current water challenges in Iran and other arid regions.
By studying the qanat system, we not only learn about ancient engineering but also gain insight into the sustainable management of water resources, an issue that remains highly relevant today.
Qanats are an ancient and ingenious form of water management, with a key role in the development of urban infrastructure and sustainability. The qanat system consists of various sections, including the mother well, vertical wells, canals, and the qanat’s mouth. The mother well is crucial as it serves as the primary source of water, situated in underground water-bearing layers. The qanat's water is transported through a series of tunnels or canals to the surface, with the mouth generally located near populated areas for direct usage. In the early stages, qanats did not have vertical shafts, but as the need to reach deeper groundwater increased, vertical shafts or "milas" were introduced to provide ventilation and ease the process of digging and draining soil. Another significant aspect is the "heranj" or open channels, which were built to carry water when the distance from the qanat’s mouth to the area of use was too long.
In the Qazvin Plain, the qanat system played a crucial role in providing water in a semi-arid environment. Despite having rich soils, water sources in Qazvin are limited. The qanat system has helped sustain agricultural and urban needs by providing water from deep underground layers. Over time, however, several qanats in the region have been destroyed due to urbanization and environmental pressures. Some, like the Tuyfori qanat, are no longer functional, illustrating the challenges of preserving these ancient systems. Historical records show the importance of qanats to the socio-economic fabric of the region, with many qanats being constructed by historical figures, such as Hamza ibn al-Siya, under the Ghaznavid Sultanate. The maintenance of qanats, respecting their boundaries, and ensuring the sustainable use of water from them was not only an engineering concern but also a religious and social principle.
Conclusion
Qanats were extraordinary examples of ancient engineering, demonstrating the ingenuity of past civilizations in managing water resources. Their use of gravity and natural engineering techniques, such as inverted siphons, allowed for the sustainable distribution of water in arid regions. The qanat system was essential for agricultural development, urbanization, and socio-economic stability in places like Qazvin. However, with modern urbanization and changing environmental conditions, many qanats have been destroyed or fallen into disrepair, posing a challenge to preserving these valuable resources. It is important to recognize the historical and cultural significance of qanats, both as a testament to human ingenuity and as an integral part of sustainable water management practices that could offer valuable lessons for addressing contemporary water scarcity issues. The preservation of qanats can offer insight into how ancient practices may still inform modern strategies for water management, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
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