Gaziantep Tarihi Su Sistemi Ve Su Yapıları

Abstract

Access to water has always been one of the main problems faced in the development of settlements – taking water from its source, and its transportation, distribution and usage have always necessitated the development of special water structures. These historical water structures are important documentary evidence of the history of humankind with their architectural and engineering technologies as well as social and cultural figurations. The historic water system in Gaziantep consists of a tunnel, referred to as the livas , and water structures gane , well, bath and kastel . The livas system is a man-made underground tunnel. The water structures gane , well and bath are designed as a part of the livas system. The water system also features a unique public space for the usage of water, referred to as kastel , which is also an underground structure, at depths based on the level of the livas system. The kastels are designed with different functions in mind, including pool, well, sitting places, small mosque, WC and bathing. The historic water system in Gaziantep represents different characteristics from the ones in Anatolia and has local-specific water structures. The period of construction and the origin of the system have yet to be ascertained however, it is clear that the livas system is a large system, spreading out beneath the entire settlement and is similar to the type of tunnel system known as a qanât , which is originated in pre-Achaemenid Persia and spread over a wide geographical area. The aim of this study is to document the originality values of the historic water system in Gaziantep and clarify the reflections of the qanât system in Anatolia. In the scope of the study, the general characteristics of historic water system and water structures are presented with the outcomes of the researches specific to livas system and kastel buildings