To whom does the water flow? A new aqueduct branch of Ayn Braq in Petra, Jordan

Abstract

For any city to flourish it must be able to provide sufficient water for the daily needs of the population, as well as, in addition to water for religious needs, water for aesthetic needs, such as fountains, gardens and baths. Nabataeans were specifically keen to showcase their ingenuity and wealth, as they were situated in a dry and arid area. For this, an extensive network of channels, pipes and aqueducts were built to draw water from the numerous springs situated in the karst of the ash-Sharah Mountains. Most aqueducts in Petra have been studied extensively. However, within the framework of the Restoration of the Ancient Nabatean Flood Control System in Wadi Madras at Petra project, which was conducted by the Centre for the Study of Natural and Cultural Heritage at the German Jordanian University, 2017–2021, the author discovered a new branch related to the Ayn Braq aqueduct. This branch might indicate an initial and early plan to draw the water towards the city through the north water flow channels in the Siq. The study of this branch revealed significant investment in the landscape with regard to both preparation prior to the aqueduct’s construction and its protection from natural hazards. In addition, a new naṣṣib and a betyl niche were discovered in direct association with the aqueduct.