The ponds of Hattuša – early groundwater management in the Hittite kingdom

Research at Hattusha, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire (1650–1200 BC), reveals that the city's large-scale ponds were likely supplied by exfiltrating groundwater rather than through long-distance pipelines. Groundwater monitoring from 2009 to 2011 showed seasonal fluctuations in water levels, rising above former pond surfaces during winter and dropping in summer. This suggests the Hittites tapped into slope aquifers, leveraging artesian sources similar to modern willow fountains in the region. The findings challenge earlier assumptions about water supply systems, demonstrating an advanced understanding of groundwater management in ancient urban planning.

Wittenberg, H., & Schachner, A. (2013). The ponds of Hattuša – early groundwater management in the Hittite kingdom. Water Supply, 13(3), 692–698. https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2013.025