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Document Details : Title: Ancient Water Management in the Southern Negev Author(s): AVNER, Uzi Journal: ARAM Periodical Volume: 14 Date: 2001-2002 Pages: 403-421 DOI: 10.2143/ARAM.14.0.504510 Abstract : The article presents several examples of ancient water management in the harsh desert of the southern Negev and southern 'Araba Valley. The first were late-prehistoric, indigenous solutions for the need of water, for everyday use and for agriculture. The embankments of 'Uvda Valley are the earliest well preserved remains of runoff water harvesting systems known to date in the Near East, beginning in the Chalcolithic or even Late Neolithic. This innovation, and others, enabled the population to develop a large scale, sustainable and durable settlement. The Qanats, on the other hand, represent an imported technological solution. In Yotvata they enabled more efficient irrigation and a better water supply, which allowed irrigation of a larger area. In other places the use of Qanats enabled the establishment of agricultural farms and settlements where they were not previously possible. |
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