Qasabeh Qanat, Ancient qanat system in Gonabad, Iran
Qasabeh Qanat is an underground water network that extends for many kilometers beneath the surface and connects to the ground through hundreds of vertical shafts. The tunnel system reaches considerable depths to tap into water sources in the mountains and deliver water across the arid plains.
Persian engineers built this water management system roughly two thousand years ago to transform an arid landscape into habitable territory. The knowledge of hydraulics and geology demonstrated in the design reflects the technical capabilities of ancient civilizations in this region.
The name Qasabeh comes from the word for village, reflecting how this system connected settlements across the region. Today visitors can observe how the water channels still shape daily agricultural life and support farming communities throughout the area.
The best way to explore this system is through a guided tour from Gonabad, where knowledgeable guides show you the underground tunnels and explain traditional techniques. Access is most comfortable during warmer months when the underground environment remains pleasant for visitors.
A remarkable aspect of this system is the precise slope of the tunnels, which was calculated accurately across vast distances without modern surveying tools. This mathematical precision allowed water to flow naturally while minimizing loss from evaporation throughout the journey.
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