Studying Ancient Water Management in Monte Albán, Mexico, to Solve Water Issues, Improve Urban Living, and Protect Heritage in the Present

Ancient Zapotec water management systems in Monte Albán, Mexico, offer modern solutions to urban water challenges. These systems, used between the 6th century BCE and 9th century CE, included terraces, canals, dams, and wells, which were integral to the Zapotec worldview and rituals. Today, rapid urbanization threatens these remnants, but an interdisciplinary project is revitalizing this lost knowledge by redesigning ancient hydraulic technology. This approach aims to restore natural environments, enhance urban living quality, and protect archaeological heritage. The study combines historical research with modern engineering to create sustainable water management strategies that bridge the past and present.

Rojas, A., & Beccan Dávila, N. (2019). Studying Ancient Water Management in Monte Albán, Mexico, to Solve Water Issues, Improve Urban Living, and Protect Heritage in the Present. Adaptive Strategies for Water Heritage, 58–77. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00268-8_4