From ancient times to the present: development of the drinking water supply system of Şanliurfa in south-eastern Turkey

Abstract

In this paper, water supply, distribution and storage structures in Şanlıurfa city that were built since the ancient times are investigated and technological details of some water supply structures are given. The city is one of the oldest cities and has hosted many civilizations throughout the centuries, beginning from 11500 BC. The acquired archaeological heritage shows that the city had important water supply practices. Many water structures, which can be categorized as the structures of the pre-Islamic Period (Roman Period) and post-Islamic Period (Ottoman Period), were constructed in the city. Charity structures and cisterns, Turkish baths, aqueducts and dams, water balance facilities, maksems, bridges, wells, fountains and karliks are among these structures. Roman influence is observed in the water architecture of the Ottoman Empire. The influence is best observed in the hayrats of the city, built in the pre-Islamic and post-Islamic Period. During the history of the city, the settled communities have destroyed many of the cultural structures of previous civilizations; however they have protected and developed water structure systems. This situation has meant that water structures have lasted to the present and it is interesting to note that most of these systems are still in use.