The technology, management, and culture of water in ancient Iran from prehistoric times to the Islamic Golden Age

Iran's ancient water management systems, particularly the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, reveal a sophisticated technological and cultural approach to water governance that spanned from prehistoric times to the Islamic Golden Age. The study highlights how centralized administration under the Achaemenids (550 BC) revolutionized water infrastructure with dams, qanats, and canals, setting a precedent for later periods like the Sassanid era. Despite challenges such as droughts, floods, and political instability, Iran's water governance thrived during these eras but declined post-Mongol invasion due to weak institutions and public support. The research underscores the need to integrate traditional and modern water management practices to address contemporary issues, emphasizing that blind adoption of foreign systems or neglect of ancient practices exacerbates current water crises.

Saatsaz, M., & Rezaei, A. (2023). The technology, management, and culture of water in ancient Iran from prehistoric times to the Islamic Golden Age. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01617-x