Document Type : Scientific-Research
Authors
1 Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD in Archaeology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Qanat is an important human-made technology that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of settled communities in Iran. Most researchers believe the first qanats were built around the first half of the first millennium BC. Iran is recognized as the most likely candidate for the birthplace and spread of this advanced technology along with its associated culture due to the presence of a large number of qanats. Unfortunately, there is scarce independent archaeological research on the origins of the first qanats in Iran, and the Qazvin Plain is no exception. However, based on available evidence, it can be assumed that this technology was used by settled communities in the Qazvin Plain during the Achaemenid period. Even though there is no direct evidence of qanats from the pre-Achaemenid period in this region, the evidence of a dry climate phenomenon, population growth, intensified political competition, expansion of animal husbandry, especially horse breeding, expansion of fruit orchards, and the construction of Paradise provided the necessary motivation and drivers for the construction of this technology in this region around the second half of the seventh century BC.
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