Water management structures in historical settlements: towards a cross-geographical, cross-cultural categorisation

In almost all the studied historical settlements place and water in its most general, both symbolic and practical definition, appear to be interwoven and interdependent. There are many references regarding the construction methods, shape and usage of water management structures in historical settlements. However, little research has been conducted comparing the findings of water structures to one another. In this paper a categorisation of significant existing water management structures in historical settlements is attempted on the basis of their main function and role in the water exploitation process. Collection, transportation and storage, as well as combinations of the above, have been identified as the main categories of water management structures in historical settlements. Examples of structures belonging to each category that come from various cultural backgrounds and geographical areas are discussed and a further categorisation of structures belonging to the same category, based on ground/structure relationship, is also attempted and presented in the paper.