Survey near the Roman fortress of Udhruh. Image: University of Leiden
Posted on 09/08/2012 9:30:00 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
About 15 km to the east of the ancient city of Petra, archaeologists from the University of Leiden have discovered an impressive network of ancient water conservation measures and irrigated field systems...
In Antiquity, an ingenious system of underground canals, hacked out of the limestone bedrock, in addition to specially built aqueducts and reservoirs with capacities of millions of litres of water, transformed this marginal region into a complex man-made landscape. This is a fantastic example of ancient water-management technology, constructed to irrigate the surrounding terraced field systems...
It is possible that parts of this agricultural system -- which was certainly exploited in the 6th century CE -- were already well established at least 2000 years ago...
Surveys carried out in June and July in and around the Roman fort of Udhruh have resulted in many more interesting discoveries.
Exploration of the 4.7 hectare Roman fort of Udhruh shows that this is probably the most intact fort of the entire Roman Empire.
In several places the outer walls and towers still stand several metres high and the interior buildings lie under a layer of construction debris more than 2.5 metres thick. The quarries that provided stone for fort construction have been extensively surveyed. They cover an area of several hectares and are amongst the largest to be identified in the Roman provinces.
The site of Udhruh most probably played an important logistical role in the trade of myrrh and frankincense through which the Nabateans acquired their wealth, and their capital Petra its prosperity...
Greening a now barren desert is only part of the technological benefits that could have uses today.
(Excerpt) Read more at pasthorizonspr.com ...
Survey near the Roman fortress of Udhruh. Image: University of Leiden
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So, it was a fertile area until shortly after the Muslims showed up. Figures.
Green Jobs are just temporary jobs.
Yes, apparently the deserts of northern Africa were a green oasis just 2000 years ago
Hey, it’s just a coincidence that Muzzies live in deserts, and that those deserts used to be fertile... wait, what? ;’)
Deserts can be quite productive but it requires work. Mohammedans are allergic to work.
Did they find the bones of the SUV destoryer of all that is green?
Lake Tritonis was still around when Herodotus was in Egypt (500 BC), OTOH, it was drying out. He describes a single large, visible dune as the only sand in Egypt, which is a little amazing to me. :’)
Mount Dune!
We’re Duned!
Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.Petra was part of ancient Edom, who were the descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob.
— Joel 3:19
After the Nile was dammed, Egypt has managed to sustain agriculture to significant levels. It is far, far from a “desolate wilderness”.
Not my fault that you don’t understand the context. But given your liberal outlook, not surprising.
“In Antiquity, an ingenious system of underground canals, hacked out of the limestone bedrock, in addition to specially built aqueducts and reservoirs with capacities of millions of litres of water, transformed this marginal region into a complex man-made landscape. This is a fantastic example of ancient water-management technology, constructed to irrigate the surrounding terraced field systems... “
“It is possible that parts of this agricultural system — which was certainly exploited in the 6th century CE — were already well established at least 2000 years ago...”
It wasn’t just possible, such systems did exist. There was a huge and sophisticated administration in Persia (modern day Iran) that was dedicated with maintaining the interlinked underground canals supplying that area with irrigation water. The water originated in the mountains and was transferred long distances via underground aquaducts.
When Muslims invaders scoured the area, they destroyed this administrative organization. The result was millions of people starved to death.
Dear Jimmie,
Egypt is a net importer of food. That is why they sell natural gas to Israel, in order to get western currency to buy food.
That is why a protracted war with Israel would be stupid on their part — starvation.
No one claimed they are not, dear Sally.
However, they are far, far from what one would call a “desolate wilderness”. They export rice, for crying out loud.
That said, their desire to wage war with Israel is of course, congenitally stupid.
Is Egypt a desolate wilderness today? What changed? They are still blood-thirsty animals with a lust for Jewish blood.
Petra is UNBELIEVABLY beautiful!!
Indeed it is. I took the horseback ride through that little narrow canyon to Petra sometime back in the 80's. An amazing place.
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