This is an aqueduct dated from the Seleucid and in particular the Roman time during the Decapolis. At that time, this city network located in today's Syria, Jordan and Israel, connected major and historical cities.
The aqueduct carried water for the Decapolis and therefore improved the region's development and wealth. By the fall of the city network, which was also caused by several earthquakes of enormous extensions, the derelict Decapolis aqueduct was further rebuild and refurbished over the course of centuries in order to continue its use.
The highlights are the large number of sources fed in, the dam with the reservoir el Ghab at the beginning, the over 35m high aqueduct bridge, Jisr el Mesari, over the Wadi ez Zedi to the east of today's Dera'a and the tunnel sections beginning immediately afterwards with a total of approx. 97km Length.
In the first section, due to the topography, only shorter qanat tunnels with canals running at ground level were used. Only after crossing the Wadi ez Zedi at Abu el Qantara did the aqueduct enter the long tunnel section.
This tunnel (~85km) is the longest tunnel in the ancient world, despite being interrupted by at least 3 discovered bridges.
eine der ersten Karten mit dem "Kanatir Fir'on / C.W.M. van de Velde Druck:Gotha 1865
By following the navigation on this website, you find further information to the region and the cities, which are connected to the aqueduct.
These information will continuously completed and present a real scientific database to this outstanding construction. As a matter of course, I am pleased to answer any further questions ( click here for the email contact ). There are many more fields with the potential to be closer studied and examined.
Currently, you are in the main category of Qanat Fir'aun. By following the subpages, some prominent facts about the construction are described in more detail.
Within the content area (on the right) of each website, you find mostly a below link which brings you directly to the Qanat Fir'aun section regardless of reservoir, bridge, substruction or tunnel.
you find further information incl. the exact geolocation by following the links and the subpages.
The Decapolis city Gadara is surrounded by perennial rivers but cut off from this water resources.
This is caused by the 500 meter difference in altitude. The biggest tributary of the Jordan, the river Yarmuk, lies to Gardara's north, the Jordan to its west and Wadi el 'Arab to its south.
That was the reason why a water supply System has been developed further and enlarged since the early days of the Hellenistic settlement.
At the beginning of the settlement, a water supply system was constructed out of the frequent pouring spring by using a system of cisterns where surface water was accumulated and which was completed by its surrounded springs. Presumably, the water was led into one or more pipes. The beginning of this pipe is, undoubtly, the Ain et Turab.
Within the city's acropolis hill, two different tunnel systems were found, which are named after the altitude of the tunnel, as the "upper" and the "lower" tunnel.
At the aqueduct's inflow, and that in Situ (...), lies the "upper" one which also passes under the "lower" tunnel / water canal.
Regarding the state of construction and assuming a continuously higher position of the upper tunnel, it was generally considered that the unfinished construction had been built after the tunnel was constructed. P Keilholz analyzed C14 findings by Putz from the upper tunnel, which undoubtly indicates a build time before Christ. The documented situation at the beginning of the tunnel (next to the aqueduct bridge) by S. Kerner does not prove any approach about the aqueduct's function. Due to its complexity and regarding those topics and Gadara in general, I refer to the books by S. Kerner/ A. Hoffmann, T. Weber, P. Keilholz and others.
Especially the detailed investigations about the respective drain and the different outlets at the end of the tunnel in the dam wall by P. Keilholz , led to the clarification of the sluice stone and the aqueduct bridge.
By using those surveying data and the determined changes at the sluice stone, I was able to compile a longitudinal section. It was recalculated with the entire hydraulic system by P. Keilholz and thus proved to be true.
After the analysis of all those data it can be also determined that the nymphaeum at the Decumanus Maximus was filled with two basins (floor height 349,55m and 347,90m asl). The water drained off via three different levels. It is still controversial whether a higher level was planned for the nymphaeum.
Ansicht des Nymphäum mit Hinweisen
benetzte Flächen des Nymphäum, Hellblau=größte Höhe, Dunkelblau= niedrigste Höhe auf Niveau der Straße
Behind or rather in the dam wall of the lower tunnel, inter alia, the water was distributed to those basins on the nymphaeum. The water was also led into a 500 meters long basaltic penstock which was connected with a basin located opposite the nymphaeum.
The ruins of the siphon tower, found on October 25 in 2010, are located in a terrain height of 338 m asl and still exist in a height of 1,50 meters.
Due to the reason that the penstock's suction basin lies in 346,50m asl, and considering the pipe friction, length and height relation, the header tank on the siphon tower is assumed to lie 344m asl.
Whether a further pressure pipe or an open channel sewage towards the Western city border existed, is not known .
To compare the information provided including the bridges which were found in front of the city tunnels, here the Link.
Regarding the two qanats between Ain et Turab and Gadara, I recommend reading the following subpage:Die beiden Qanate im Wadi ain et Turab
G. Schuhmacher and others described another water supply system. Those water channels are also known as Qanat Fir'aun. Undoubtly, those channels form an independent system, which was presumably built in the late 4th century.
Even if detailed descriptions exist, no archaeological indication could have been found since the 80's of the 20th century. The destruction, or reusing of building stones, might have already started a long time ago. This can be narrowed in terms of times, since G.A. Smith described that, between 1891 and 1900 and due to Gadara's resettlement, the place Umm Qeis had been grown enormous; at the expense of Gadara's old ruins which do not exist anymore - after 9 years.
Due to the reason that those evidences are not visible, the channel system, described by G. Schumacher, is disparaged to a road drainage; and the descriptions from the 19th century are derided as a phantasy.
Here again, G.A. Smith can help us, who adds two more facts about the third aqueduct which are highly relevant.
Inter alia, he describes that during those nine years almost all the visible relicts of the water pipe, between Umm Qeis and Ibdar, had been vanished. In my opinion, it is even more important that he states that the water pipe is also made out of basalt pipe elements. "The basalt pipes of the conduit, which I saw in great numbers in 1891, have nearly all disappeared."
Thus, this complex street side system has nothing to do with road drainages. Without any detailed and specialist knowledge, it can be recognized that this system in terms of its construction and the dimensions of its water channel had never been served for a drainage.
Numerous examples of Roman streets or places show drainage channels but non of them can be compared to those dimensions. By omitting to regard the relations of those channels, a comparison of the cross section is misleading and not in accordance with the principles of any scientific research. The channel described by G. Schumacher is many times greater as those similar looking channels which are documented here in that picture or in the book "Wasser für die Dekapolis".
Let's address the solution which is proven scientifically:
The channel system was next to the street (but not exactly parallel, see the picture above), along the southern watershed between Ibdar (500m asl) and Gadara (370m asl). According to G. Schumer, the system was 2,41m wide. (Steuernagel by other conversion 2,38m)
Besides the channels which are described by G. Schumacher, G.A. Smith states that this system also included sections which were made out of basalt elements along the street. (among other things comparable with Gadara, or Hippos)
Between el Qabu and Gadara, two identical channels ran in parallel. Therefore, the system's total width was 4,22m which is almost as wide as the Roman street.
every channel had a width of over 81cm and was 31cm deep. Even with a minimal slope of 0,5 per mill and a freeboard of 5cm, the amount of ~ 50l/s water could had been carried through every of those channels. With a medial slope of 2%, which mostly correspond to the street gradient, the Q, which stands for the amount of water carried per time unit, would had been significantly higher. Undoubtedly, the amount of water had never been intended nor reached.
Regarding the picture above and all the other description, the contour line of the third water system could have been calculated. Neither springs, reservoirs nor others could have been proven. But, southeastern from Ibdar, a stone quarry area is plot which might had been used originally as a water lifting system. By considering an older google-earth picture, I was able to document at least two circular ones, which have similar structures to a deep well. (see next picture) Such bucket chain - water lifting systems are driven by animals or human beings. They could produce between 1 and 5 l/s per system. Those lifting systems were verifiable proven in the Persian-Babylonian area and since the 3rd century by Philon of Byzanz. Generally, those systems are known and called as "Sakia".
Regarding the official Jordan maps M 1:25000, this area is called al Qantara, which would also indicate a vault or stony arch as with the Syrian Abu el Qantara in the course of Qanat Fir'aun. Further archaeological researches should prove this thesis in near future, whereby this area have been extensively used and overbuilt by locals since 2014.
Gebiet "al Qantara" Beginn des 3. Wassersystems auf H= 496m asl
Certainly, the expected amount of water of max. 20 l/ s about the Qanat Fir'aun aqueduct pipe was a significant restriction. The building construction of this water supply system is not usual. At that time it was classified that the pipe system and the water transported were sufficient for the needs of Gadara's inhabitants.
Comparable pipe- aqueduct systems exist, even if they were built with a very simple construction. Hierapolis / Pammukale can be mentioned as an example.
Eastern of today's village entrance of Umm Qeis, a heavy sinter inflow from above into one of the access shafts of the above qanat systems can be proven ( where did the water come from, if not coming out of the pipe system?). Regarding the thickness of the fusion, considerable amounts of water must have passed the functioning part of the qanat system for a long time.
To the north, the so called "Kerner Bridge" in Gadara is the logical continuation of Schumacher's pipe system. On the one hand, the building construction and the relatively coarse material is not identical with the older bridge, which was found in 2009 by the author. On the other hand, the deviating pier positions of the northern construction also indicates a the construction age, after the destruction of the older bridge.
At the end, the located profile and the stones from the sidewall, which still lie in Situ, correspond exactly to the dimensions of G. Schumachers presentation in "Northern Ajlun". Destructions in this area explain why the separate round stonewalled channel profile at the end of the construction does not exist anymore.
Additionally, waterproof mortar documented in S. Kerner's presentation could not be proven. The real width of the "Kernersche Bridge" with 2,38m exactly corresponds to the data given by G. Schumacher. Therefore, the last two (inboard) remaining stones of that sidewall of that bridge are sadly the one and only relicts of the described aqueduct channels.
Due to missing evidence, no reliable statement about the usage of the arriving water at the mentioned bridge can be made.
Why was a second channel starting in El Qabu necessary?
First of all, a discharge of eventually resulting surface water from the higher located hilly terrain, northern to the street at el Qabu, can not be excluded. Still, this seems only partially plausible.
Rather , the generally lower gradient in this area was taken into account, which at least could have led temporarily to an overflow of only one existing channel. Additionally, smaller and different heights or additional water intakes could have been realized and dispensed by two channels. This aqueduct also ran towards Gadara. Further information about the bridges immediately before Gadara can be found here.
Here you can see the exact geolocation of the building construction.
starting at the source Ain et Turab; here already start the inconsistencies.
Whereas in the first maps of the European travelers, as well as in their literature, the source springs much farther east and thus Wadi-upwards (G. Schumacher speaks of 550 m asl), today’s spring tapping which can be located at least since 1940 at a height of 439m asl can be found at least 800m away from it. Whether the todays source known by a Qanat of unknown length on the road "Ain et Turab" is actually the original one, or already a part of the 2nd aqueduct could not be clarified - even after multiple inspections and searches.
Sure, the spring pouring was sufficient and was demonstrably used to supply the Hellenistic settlement of Gadara until the Qanat Fir'aun was constrcuted. It is assumed that over the entire length or possibly only at some sections the water in the tunnel was conducted inside the pipes.
Here follows the second problem of this aqueduct connection, also called Qanat Turab. Due to the difficult topography and the height difference of 86.4m over a length of ~ 26.5km, several construction shafts were needed. In the Wadi Ain et Turab, or its lower course the Wadi Samar up to Gadara two tunnel systems can be found which cannot be clearly distinguished from each other in time.
After finding a second tunnel system under Gadara, a mistake crept into the literature, which always spoke of 2 m height difference of the tunnels to each other. Since the second, supposedly lying higher, tunnel system in Gadara was demonstrably built after the 1st one and remained apparently unfinished, all following scientists and archaeologists followed this assumption; even for the so-called overland aqueduct area. The upper aqueduct tunnel, which lies up to 40m higher in the upper wadi area than the lower one, was thus made the "Unfinished One" or the "Construction Error".
On the basis of summarized and provable facts, I would like to discuss the correctness of this interpretation, which is also mentioned in the book by M. Döring.
Previously, here is a section of the longitudinal section, also from this, the viewer may already recognize whether the section to the right of the red line fits to the upper or lower section
Längsschnitt zwischen Wadi esh Shellale und Gadara / Kleb 2011
The difference in height at the transfer point bridge (or even bridges) in Gadara is demonstrably almost the same for both city tunnels and cannot be used as justification.
The more plausible longitudinal section results from the connection of the upper aqueduct route between Ain Et Turab and the destination point at the end of the bridge in Gadara.
The result of it is an averaged gradient of 3.3 ‰, a maximum of 2% to max. 1km in length and a minimum measured slope of 1.48 ‰ shortly before Umm Qeis.
By connecting the source with the lower aqueduct and the continuation up to the same point in Gadara, the following results:
averaged gradient 3.0 ‰ (longer distance ~ 29.3km), maximum gradient > 3.4 PERCENT and minimum slope of 0.126 per thousand on long distance (several high accuracy points of 9.63km)
why should the old Hellenistic aqueduct undermine the valley bottom in the area of the wadi-crossing? This can’t be justified by necessities (a side change Wadi-upwards would have been completely problem-free) and also brings increased problems in the drainage (sealing against surface water) and difficult construction conditions. Exactly this undercutting can be found at the lower tunnel!
here, an interim conclusion: The "new use" of the lower tunnel section proposed by M.Döring (Wadi crossing Section) through the new aqueduct coming from Syria, is not plausible!
The lowering of the old hellenistic course "without any pressing necessity" on the first 900m below the source of Ain et Turab by 3.4% results at much more difficult conditions through the embedding in and under the Wadi bed.
This subsequently also presuppose that, even in the Hellenistic period, the Qanat Course (without any pressing necessity) run on a route which could not have been built at that time. The Gradient of the following Section of the lower Aqueduct (Qanat) shows us, regardless of the type of construction (gravity-flow or carried in a pipe), that there is no hellenistic aqueduct worldwide with such a shallow gradient of only 12.5 cm per km. (Hints are welcome)
Even in Wadi Et Turab / Samar, there are tunnel heights of 70 cm to 4 m, flow widths of 40 cm to 1.2 m and narrow open sections opposite Samar, which thereafter interchanges by tunnel sections with a much larger dimension. See also the Subsite of Wadi et Turab.
But there are other important facts:
The Qanat Fir'aun (from Syria), like the lower tunnel, has a very small gradient of 0.17 ‰ or below over several sections and over an uninterrupted length of 19 km. Similar lengths we know from the lower tunnel even under 0.11 ‰. This is a precision that could only be achieved by multiple measurements and with high-precision equipment in the Time after Christ .
The engineering masterpiece of the Qanat Fir'aun comprises its planning from the outset and that the engineers has planed the integration of almost every source along the route. This only applies to the route section of the Qanat Fir'aun up to the reaching of the Wadi et Turab, as well as only to the lower tunnel with at least 7 recorded sources and their integraion. However,the upper tunnel does not integrate a single source. Why should the roman engineers change there tactics, which were proved so far?
It is generally believed that the old Hellenistic course led the water over an internal pipe. But with constantly changing, albeit low, inflow of at least 7 additional sources, the pipe dimensions would have to be adjusted as well. At least there should be transfer tanks, as small reservoirs, at each of the sources. All this has never been found or described anywhere. Why then should have been chosen this much more difficult and longer route for the Hellenistic period of use?
Another important fact is, at least "one",construction shaft exist upstreams of the crossing point of the Qanat Fir'aun with the old Aqueduct Line, described by S. Kerner and the University of Karlsruhe, as well as by the project team of the Qanat Fir'aun found and calibrated, on the south side of the Wadi.
-The striking wadi crossing had been built also in the already described construction type, by means of an artificially sill constructed after a natural vertical drop.
The construction shaft, with a rectangular winding staircase of 180 degrees, was built like as often in the course of the Qanat Fir'aun slightly off-centered of the wadi's flow channel and appears in design and connection to the tunnel of the same age. As in the further course, no inlet or outflows in the tunnel indicate that this tunnel section on the south side of the Wadi slope had an inlet from the Ain et Turab, M. Doering concluded that the Wadi-crossing originally belonged to the lower hellenistic route. However, the above mentioned construction shaft ,discovered by several project groups, proves that there must have been an aqueduct line to Ain et Turab on the south side and this may have been connected only to the original upper line. Thus, as the older aqueduct, only the upper tunnel system comes into question.Against this thesis put forward by me and for the consistent planning of Qanat Fir'aun and thus also the lower tunnel to Gadara, there is no evidence to my knowledge. But I hereby like to put it up for discussion.
The question then arises whether the dropped upper tunnel in Wadi Ain et Turab, which in addition was built on the entire length to Gadara and in verifiably many construction lots, was actually only a never-used "building defect or construction error"?
As it can be seen from the facts summarized above, the upper tunnel without additional intermediate feeds with a slightly higher but steadier gradient is the more plausible solution for the Hellenistic period - precisely because a plaster was still found in a few areas.
The fact is, the upper tunnel has been abandoned in a construction phase! Almost over the entire length, contrary to the other practices, the construction shafts are unlocked and "marked" by building rubble lying in front of them.
The solution can be found in the described section of this tunnel in the Ibdar area, which is also often described as the "chaotic tunnel", from the pilot-tunnel "widened" and ascending “contrary to the direction of flow”. In my estimation, the upper Qanattunnel was actually used for Gadara’s supply in the Hellenistic period or for the construction of the Qanat Fir'aun. (whether with or without pipe guide is not clarified here ;-)) Then it was tried to extend the existing cross-section, which was probably originally much smaller, and to adjust the slope of the new incoming Qanat Fir'aun route. The existing gradient was reduced and created up to 5m high two-story cross sections. By comparing the data, however, it was noticeable that the incoming new Qanat Fir'aun could not match the maximum feasible changes of the old upper route due to the already very small incline and the necessary alignment. At this time, the old Qanattunnel was completely abandoned and reused only shortly before Gadara, a long time later.
However, even after the mountain tunnel "Dahr Defur" in Wadi Ain et Turab, the alignment and the routing properties continued to be complied with and implemented. Both the inclusion of the source and the gradients thus obtained a consistent engineering image.
In addition, I would like to reiterate here that I wish a constructive criticism of this thesis and would also like to provide the correct surveying results of the project etc. The datas used by M.Döring in the book "Wasser für die Dekapolis" and the values which were "adjusted" by the actual measured heights of up to 4.50 m are thus demonstrably non-existent. These alternative facts for the determination of the gradients in the book, rather served there in order to let flow the water in the sense of the "intended theses".
Here you can see the exact geolocation of this aqueduct section.
This wadi is also called Wadi Samar in the lower course.
Here we can find 2 different aqueduct in qanat-construction made with mining techniques.
Starting from the two tunnels in Gadara and its previous interpretation, the upper qanatroute has always been referred to as the younger one and the lower one as the elder one. Furthermore, they are called in some literature as Qanat Turab (below) and Qanat Fir'aun (above). Based on the building condition, parallels were made to the Gadaren tunnels. Thus, the state of construction of the upper Qanatsystem is characterized by consistently open construction shafts, sometimes very roughly hewn tunnel sections which are sometimes inclined against the supposed flow direction and are mostly unpaved. Several geological inevitable situations, or situations appearing as general construction errors, lead to tunnel heights of 5m with a demonstrably doubled cut out profile. A few kilometers farther, this Qanat opposite Samar comes to light and shows us a very narrow section of only 50 cm wide and about 80 cm high.
The thesis that one can deduce the belonging of the Qanat Fir'aun arriving from the east from the outer shape of the construction shaft, can not be maintained. Both on the eastern route as well as in the area of Wadi Ain et Turab, various cross-sections inside, construction shaft sizes or starting levels for the shafts can be demonstrated for both Qanatsystems.
The following pictures should briefly show you the multitude of discovered construction shafts only of the upper Qanatroute.
Expediently are only c14 determinations, or other archaeological evidences. Another important clue is the comparison of the way in which they are routed, the relationship between the two Qanatsystems and the Qanat Fir'aun route arriving from the east (Syria).
with a diameter of approximately 21m, it has the largest construction shaft of the entire aqueduct route.
Located between Wadi Defur and Wadi Ain et Turab, this section of the tunnel runs under the
The Dhar Defur plateau has a maximum of 488m asl in this area. The maximum coverage of the tunnel was over 77m.
Please take further information from the following sketch:
Particularly interesting is the largest construction shaft of the entire aqueduct route, found by me in November 2009.
With a diameter of OK terrain the construction shaft width of 21 x 23 m (height 462m asl) is minimize to about 8m depth to about 17m of diameter. Here, the upcoming rock horizon is already visible. By permanently produced rubble and garbage of the population living nearby, the construction shaft is filled at this level. (ca.454m asl). Due to the enormous dimensions, however, it can be ruled out that the construction shaft is completely filled up to the aqueduct sole of the aqueduct.
It is not very likely that this construction was needed for ventilation (this would have been a much smaller), but especially needed for lifting the excavated masses, since on at least 500m aqueduct length, no further construction shafts were tunneled because of the height and for efficiency reasons.
By consistently adhering to the given direction and inclination, the tunnel section in Wadi Ain et Turab could not arrive incorrectly, but also position errors of + - 10m in the axis, or height errors were tolerable and could be corrected due to the topography .
Further investigation could not be made without adequate security. From an engineering point of view following solution approaches result; which I would like discuss.
The construction shaft was built on its entire depth of 47m under OK terrain with almost the same diameter. Here then on several levels, mutually offsets Wooden Plateaus were built to lift the overburden.
The building shaft tapers at an unknown depth (only slightly below the current filling) to the "normal" size, so in any cases the removal of the overburden could have been optimized. However, this is only imaginable if the earthen ground had not been able to sustain at this unknown altitude. According to the pictures, the massive rock starts, but already above the still existing level in 8m depth under OK terrain.
The original floor level of the construction shaft formed with two opposing construction shafts a "lowered" baseline, which had become necessary for better orientation over the long mountain / plateau crossing. (But would this form have been necessary for this?)
In addition, in each case, the question arises how the large open area of the construction shaft was secured or closed at the end of the construction project. Did the builder had a stone vault be moved in here, which still exists today !!! ?? and could so explain today's inner level of the construction Shaft ? For the construction shaft located at the upper end of the Wadi Defur, such a protection (due to surface water, moving soil and possible debris, which otherwise would have caused damage to the aqueduct), was definitely necessary. If the interested reader should be familiar with appropriate solutions from literature, ancient or even medieval mining, I would be happy to make contact with you. just send an email to mail@dekapolis-aquaedukt.de
Already S.Mittmann wrote in his book about Northern Jordan, that for a temporal allocation of the plateau the usual methods do not apply. He could not find ceramics or any other artifacts that could be classified.
So we have to go back to the search for facts in the literature.
Foto der Khirbet er Rahub von Ostnordost / C.Steuernagel
Skizze eines typischen römischen Marschlagers, oder eines temporären Zeltlagers
There was / are directly at the Khirbet he Rahub two springs, at the southeast corner of the plateau the Ain Rahub, at the center of the north side, the source was rebuilt in 2010. Ain Um Furun, was named at G.Schumacher (map of the DPV B4) with Ain it Sukkar. Both were inflowing sources into the Qanat Fir'aun. After the Aqueduct was coming out of the Wadi esh Shellale, not circling the massif of Al Mughair, the aqueduct continues to went through massiv eroded cliffs with steepy steps above and below the road and approaches to round the ruins of the Khirbet er Rahub. Hardly cutting this plateau on the eastern and northern flanks, the aqueduct then turns north again towards Al Al and Kharja (also called "Dschorda" in E. Brandenburg in 1914).
In addition, three more upstream sources were fed from the south, at the Khirbet er Rahub, in the aqueduct. S. Mittmann does not mention the spiral stairwell found by the Qanat Fir'aun team in 2007, but sees a spring directly on the northeast corner without any further description, the southern one is bricked up !! All water was directed to the pumping station in the 70s.
Through various construction activities and Bulldozereinsatz the long north side and the east flank have been massively damaged since my first visit in Sept 2003. Probably as a result, the "spiral stairwell" has come to light again.
G. Schumacher describes the plateau almost rectangular with 168x70 m. (S. Mittmann has slightly different dimensions)
On the northern edge is still visible a walled 6m wide road. In the middle of the northern flank and next to the source (Umm Furun / Ez Sukkar) was one of the gates of the fort.
Due to its striking location, but any absence of massive building remains, I believe that this constructed platform originally was a Roman temporary auxiliary fortification to build or protect the aqueduct route . Next to the road and the gate and within the "castellum" there were probably tents and places for cattle and horses and perhaps a fortified building. This building was presumably on the southwestern corner of the platform, or as was often found elsewhere, smaller towers.
G. Schumacher himself speaks of "a fort for protection of these sources", but without making any further assignment.
The entire information was apparently not available for S. Mittmann, since he does not refer to it and does not compare the state at that time with his survey results. Likewise, as mentioned above, due to the lack of ceramics, he does not prescribe the temporal classification of the stone plateau. He in turn looks at the pathway-relations, as well as the name-giving caves located here in the hillside and writes at least referring to the Crusader time about it as "rightly referred to as Cavea Roob".
The "Cavea Roob" are also located on many archaeological-topographic maps, for example, the Historical-Archeological Map Palestine Leaf North.
Bronze or Iron Age settlements are in immediate proximity and can be demonstrated by their typical shape and ceramic findings and can be clearly excluded for the Khirbet er Rahub (see also S. Mittmann).
The proximity to the aqueduct, to the water in general and the sheltered location in the immediate vicinity of the main Roman trade route of this area - all this speaks not only for a construction in Roman / Byz. Time. Possibly even extensions were made during the Crusader era, so the timing of the found spiral stairwell shaft can only be plausibly assigned to this time. This construction was rather uncommon in the other (Roman) context and the size and type of the execution speaks also for a subsequent enlargement.
On the b / w picture from C. Steuernagel's "Adschlun" taken from the east, the shaft could not be recognized because it was buried under the masses of collapsed walls of a supposed corner tower.
Surrounded by a wall up to 10 m above the incoming old road-connections and extended by a permanent water supply within the system, the Kh. Er Rahub certainly corresponded very well to the requirements of the Crusader period.
The additional location of Bet Rehob, sometimes mentioned in the literature, also known from the Judgment Book of the Bible, is only vague, and refers more to Tell el Muallaqa some 100m further south, or Tell er Rahub. According to S. Mittmann the Tell er Rahub is called "Tell el mgeyir" and lies on the ridge east above the Ain er Rahub. According to the Bible, Rehob was a rather rich city that resisted and lay in a fertile plain near the Dan. Often (though not always), the River Dan is identified with the Jarmuk or Wadi Medan, especially in ancient literature. So there are some scholars who seek this rebel on Tell esh Shehab.
The Qanat Fir'aun now continues along the western slope of the Wadi er rahub and follows the Wadi esh-shellale before flowing across the plateau towards Al-Al and Kharja. (Here you find the link to the following aqueduct section)
Here you can see the exact geolocation of the place.
, which alone in this area up to 150m deep Wadi of the cataracts, had to be bridged by the Qanat Fir'aun.
Some construction shafts, along the Roman road on the Wadi, documented by S.Mittmann, or at Kh. Ez Zeraqon, were already known.
Durch Hangrutsch notwendig gewordene Umleitung /erarb. anlässlich der German Weeks 2013 /Foto 2003
The overall guidance of the aqueduct, in the steep slopes of the wadi, was further confirmed by theoretical considerations, old and new satellite imagery, and field surveys. In this case, the tunnel sections which have become necessary due to repeated breaks in the soft limestone are striking, in different planes (at the same height).
Wadi esh Shellale von Mughair aus
Detail mit halb verschüttetem Qanat in der Bildmitte an einem abgebrochenen Hangstück
Detail teilverschütteter Qanat in Bildmitte
The construction shafts were here almost level, or usually not higher than 5m above the level of the aqueduct, built on the crests of the ravines eroded by erosion slopes.
The fact that the exact depth of the erosion gullies and the geology, in which the height of the construction shafts had to be assessed anew by the Roman geologists, undoubtedly lets look every contemporary planner and contractor respectfully.
Bauschächte 60m über der Wadisohle
Over many of these eroded gullies, but also side valleys, the Qanat Fir'aun goes upstreams the Wadi, up to the here also described in detail bridge ( The Great Bridge in Wadi esh Shellale ) and its settling basin. In the process, further sources, directly or via secondary lines, were integrated, thus compensating losses or intermediate withdrawals.
der griechisch/römische Tell Umm er Riglen mit dem dahinter verlaufenden Qanat Fir'aun
The aqueduct section behind the bridge in Wadi esh Shellale is characterized by another peculiarity, on the northeastern slope of the Early Bronze Age settlement Kh. Ez Zeraqon. A bypass to the main line was necessary. (see picture above) Originally, as in the whole area, running relatively close to the surface of the slope, a large landslide took place during the construction period or even after commissioning, probably due to an earthquake.
The bypass that became necessary as a result was first recorded in 1991 by the University of Karlsruhe and S.Mittmann and recorded in surveying, then in parts by the BAI Wuppertal in 2003 and finally by M.Döring in 2004.
Over a length of almost 500m at the surface and over 600m in depth, the aqueduct route had to be laid deep into the massif.
Here, not only the coordination and the execution are particularly noteworthy, since thereby steep and over 60m deep construction shafts were necessary even from the plateau of the Khirbet ez Zeraqon.
durch Ackerarbeiten neu freigelegter Bauschacht nahe Tell el Fukhar
künstlicher Einschnitt und Zugang am Nordhand von Kh. ez Zeraqon
Qanat im inneren des Zeraqonmassivs
In the further course of the Qanat Fir'aun went back north and pierced north of today's village Al Mughair the ridge to a major side valley, the Wadi he Rahub.
verschüttete Bauschächte am Durchstich zum Wadi er Rahub
Detail verschüttete Bauschacht auf dem Bergkamm bei Mughair
On the Ain er Rahub, with its caves lying nearby, was the place often named in the Crusader time Cavea Roob.
Here you will find the direct link to the following section of Qanat Fir'aun
Here you can see the exact geolocation of the section and selected construction shafts / details.
is traversed by the aqueduct tunnel to 7.5km in length. This corresponded to around 150 construction shafts in the tunnel area.
This Section starts as a ground-level canal about 1m below the top edge and was built in an open construction style (about 1.35km). Already on reaching the present-day border, Syria / Jordan, begun the tunneling with construction shafts. Until reaching the steep slopes of the Wadi esh Shellale, the aqueduct was up to 35m deep below the upper edge of the terrain.
Striking and noteworthy in this section of the route appears the orientation between the two highest points of Et Turra and Al Mughair, located on the opposite mountain spur intersected by the Wadi esh Shellale valley. In detail, there was a slight curvature in the line, because the still recognizable construction shafts, which are characterized by surface characteristics, were always located a few meters north of the respective low point of the plain.
This should avoid, that flushing surface water or sludge into the construction shafts, even in heavy rainfall events.
As we can see from the last remaining construction shaft, which is located directly on the eastern shore of Wadi Shomar, there was a steep staircase access. This had been shielded by rock, or masonry walls in the direction of the higher ground in each case.
The Wadi Shomar flows from Ramtha coming from the south,to the west of At-Turra and then crashes over cascades in the Wadi esh Shellale.
copyright Google 2004 /bearbeitet durch den Verfasser 2009
einzig auffindbare Reste der ehemaligen rund 150 Bauschächte
Coming from Abou el Qantara, the aqueduct crossed the path at the border hall, left of the visible path.
An old satellite image shows the individual construction shafts in this area particularly clearly. (right red arrow = still existing Bauschacht.
The Qanat Fir'aun continues into the Wadi esh Shellale, more information on the following section is available there.#### Here you can see the exact geolocation of the plain.
This lake, which is fed by the strongest springs of the entire region (Ras el Ain) located directly northeast, had compared to today, in former times still much larger dimensions. The settlement hill, Kom el Muzeirib, located on a lake island and still unexplored, was probably of paramount importance 3,000 years ago. Because of the unique feature of the lake, the local situation was variously equated in the literature with the Casphon / Casphor of the Maccabean books of the Bible.
It is certain that the lake was protected with its nearby strong sources of 2 in parts still preserved castles. Although it is reported in the literature just by the Kulaat el Atika that this is an Arab foundation, but revealed Greek inscriptions and the clear design discovers also, that both castles where built as an Auxilliary Fort in the Quadriburgia style , which where often used at the turn of times.
The water level of the lake, of 443m asl, created the possibility of supplying the Qanat Fir'aun with a required large amount of water of additional approx. 200l / s. Outside of the village Area of Muzeirib, it was possible to prove that the trench system in the direction of Abou al Qantara is still present today.
A sidebranch for a additional supply of Tell el Ashari from the Qanat Fir'aun, via a secondary line there is conceivable. Similarly, a short aqueduct route from the lake in the direction of the Tell el Ashari would be conceivable, but no other Cityarea of the ancient settlement (possibly Dion) could have been reached by these water supplies in terms of height. This would have been possible anyway on the countless sources in its vicinity.
You can also find more information here The places of the Decapolis under the sub-site Dion
Explicitly, I would like to explain at this point that there are no indications of the aqueduct immediately on site (in Muzeirib), this also applies to old travel reports! The text excerpt from G. Schumacher's -Across the Jordan, which is cited in the book "Water for the Decapolis", is also not more plausible by multiple entries (4x in the book), especially because the cited text passage was deliberately or just by chance, has been shortened through the author of these book. The following sentence already shows us that the two parallel rows of stones are not a remainder of an aqueduct channel, but are widely spaced stones, similar to a collonade, which were separated by a broad street on which market was often held , Here is the correct excerpt from Schumacher's book.
G.Schumacher, Across the Jordan - S.165
In the further course of the Qanat Fir'aun follows the pressurepipe at Abou el Qantara.
Here you can see the exact geolocation of the Lake Area.
was a side channel to supply a nymphaeum and the highest areas of the city.
The about 4km long side line went to the ancient Adraha, with its highest part el Kerak and the nymphaeum lying on the slope side supplied with water from the Qanat Fir'aun.
The analysis was done here, as in the original Roman planning, in reverse order to determine necessary terrain heights and cross sections corresponding to the "requested" amounts of water on the nymphaeum can.
Linienführung der Druckleitungsabschnitte
Today, the Roman nymphaeum called "Hammam Ziknany" is reminiscent in its form and design, of the "Kalybe" (Qanawat, Shaba, Bosra), which is often found in Hauran. Possibly also existed two buildings as in Bosra opposite lying side by side. Today there are only 3 walls in parts, which still represent about half of the front facade, but here were at least still 4 discharges in the basalt masonry coming from the ceiling.
Detailed measurements are not known except for the measured elevations in m asl (above sea level). The height of the roof of the Nympheum, on which directly, or at the same height immediately next to it, was also the head basin / outlet basin of the pressure line, was about 523 m asl. The height of the floor at this nymphaeum / at the same time the ceiling height of the "mausoleum" mentioned distributor and the height of the pool edge of the large Siknany basin (~ 82x119m) is approximately 517m asl.
Assuming at least 8 tubes with Di = 6cm (comparable to Gadara and other nymphaea) and a gargoyle construction with Di = 2.0-2.5cm attached at the lower end of the vertical tube (so that there is no backwater, but also no outflow speed into the basin faster then > 3.5 m / s), roughly a volume of ~ 2.5-3l / s per tube would result, with the form to be estimated of 0.6 bar.
An incoming water volume of approx. Q ~ 20- 24 l / s (min 72 m³ / h) was therefore necessary.
A large supply of water on the roof / head basin is not likely to have taken place for static reasons. The water reservoir was safely distributed over a larger roof area. The upper edge of the water at the outlet pool was therefore not higher than 524m asl.
Unfortunately, neither J.G. Wetzstein still G. Schumacher a detailed description, or even the location of the "pharaoh tower" has given. Wetzstein seems to have it only described from an other one, and G. Schumacher, referring to Wetzstein's travelogue, could only guess, 50 years later, what ruins, on the north side of the wadi, were meant. The statement J.G. Wetzsteins, that the water had been transported on arches to the pharaoh tower, was very probably created only from the naming of this Aqueduct. The commonly used name at the time was simply Kanatir Far'un , the arches of the pharaoh. So also the interpretation of W.M. Thomson in his travelogue of 1886. Here he also confirms that the (auxiliary) direction arrived the city area from the northeast, but where the pharaoh tower stood, or at all a mention of it, we do not find in W. M. Thomson.
Old aerial photographs, a rare Dera'a city map, which I was able to buy together with the maps created by G. Schumacher, help us, in turn, supplemented by the digital elevation evaluation. Only a building or a ruin does not align itself with the grid in the newly created Railwayarea of Dera'a and corresponds to the necessary terrain heights. In addition, this building shows connections to the proven incoming and outgoing aqueductareas, through ground depressions and changes. In addition, G. Schumacher's card (thanks to the DPV for this) shows that the line ran exactly along the bridge.
Kartendetail G.Schumacher
The pressure line through the Wadi Ez Zedi, from the so-called Pharaoh tower over the slope on the Wadi down to the bridge and then back up to the head basin on the roof of the Nympheum, is 1150 m long in 3D.
Because of the curvatures of the Suggested Course in addition and through the pipe generally creates a pressure loss, so it was a height difference between inlet and outlet basin of at least 3.5m necessary, in this case, however, the Q of a tube is around 10 l / s. The flow rate (velocity) was reduced to ~ 0.4 m / s or less. So it should have been a minimum of 2 pressurepipes at this section. In 2010, I explored the northern slope of El Kerak and on a broken vertical incision I was able to locate and document at least one of the pressure lines. However, it is not known, if there was another pressurepipe between the other one,which is still hidden in the Slope. The direction of this pressurepipe corresponded exactly to the extension of the eastern parapet of the Wadi ez Zedi bridge in the valley.
So far, the system can be very plausibly understood, in the following, the other part of the derivation (sidebranch) is examined to the pharao tower .
The verified main line of the Qanat Fir'aun traverses at one point the old Roman road Deraa - Bosra, from this point there was also an exactly straight line from an elevation 536m to the Castellum 1, the pharao tower J. G. Wetzsteins. Here is the terrain height at about 520m. The 3D length of this track is 2935m. (Note: a shortening of the route and division into free gauge and pressure range is unlikely due to the topography).
According to the previous paragraph, the inlet basin on the "pharaoh tower" was at least 527.5m asl (524m + 3.5m). With the length of 2935m and those assumed to have the same pipe dimensions, there is an estimated difference in height of almost 8.5m at almost the same flow rate to create the Q = 10l / s per pipe.
The hydr. System would look like this:
536m asl >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 528m asl / 527,5m asl >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>> 524m asl
the lengths: 2935m >> Pharaoh tower >> 1150m >> Hammam Siknany
(Continuous 0.4m / s II Q ~ 10 l / s (with a tube of Di = 180mm and k = 5-7)
As a result of this extravagant investigation, it was feasible to supply the nymphaeum in the assumed form by means of two identical pressure pipelines. These were running completely close to the ground level and a single pressure tower at elevation 520 m asl and with a height of no more than 8.50 m over terrain.
After acquiring and the evaluating of special flyer images of the Australian War Memorial, as well as the city map of Dera'a (of the German General Staff of 1941), the "Pharao Tower" according to my virtual reconstruction has looked something like this.
Rekonstruktion des sogenannten Pharaoturmes
Ausschnitt DPV Karte B4
It is interesting that there were similar constructions from the same period also elsewhere, one of the aqueducts which provided today's Lyon had at Craponne such a building comparable to the Pharaoh tower.
vergleichbarer Druckturm bei Craponne/France nach Gabut 1910
Here an other picture for comparison from 1918 of a siphon tower at Akko.
A as complicated by M.Döring shown and set off secondary line over 2.8 km to a quasi solitary on the hillside standing 25m high tower, is neither archaeologically detectable, nor was it mentioned in any description, or pictorial representation.
But the necessary volumes of the arches would have surpassed that of the main bridge, Jisr el Mesari , many times over, and are nowhere traceable.
The following picture of the AWM shows the whole area of Deraa 1918 and those proves that such tremendous ruins have never exists. (blue arrow = bridge, orange arrow = viewing direction of the image B01300
The pipeline described by Wetzstein and sketched by G. Schumacher, which was the real pressure pipe to the hill of El Kerak or to the Nymphaeum, is technically incomprehensible in view of the location, high up on the parapet.
It can be assumed that the rebuilding of the Zedi Bridge (as also stated by G. Schumacher) either the pipe elements were reused or there was another pipe which crossed the wadi and the bridge. (See below)
For this purpose, it also seems important to pay attention to the wording in J.G.Wetzstein's description, he speaks on page 124 several times of "tubes" in the majority and the course within the 1.5m wide parapet of the bridge. Inexplicable remains, however, once again (as in the "Underground City") the size estimation in Consul Wetzstein descriptions because the today and certainly then bridge measures even at the extreme sill ends just 82m, the 300 paces (one pace are usually 2.5 feet, ie 75 to max. 82 cm), corresponding to around 230 m are also topographically incomprehensible.
Further information about the Zedi bridge in Dera'a can be obtained here under the category bridges.
From the maps of the DPV and individual documents, however, are also from north-northwest incoming aqueduct residues, which must also be included in the consideration.
After analysis, it can be assumed that a third pipe system, presumably later, was built. This led either a subset of the main aqueduct, via a completely different path, or the water of another reservoir to the Dera'a Area. A diversion basin to be recognized from the aerial photos, similar to the well-known diversion basin of Metz in France, also led in the course to the Wadi ez Zedi bridge in the valley.
The non-complete sheathed clay pipe from G. Schumacher's description, which runs on the upper edge of the parapet, fulfills all static and height requirements for this 3rd pipe system.
In terms of height, however, only the basin directly behind the bridge, or "Birket", could be supplied with water.
The water of the 2nd pressure pipe (described above) to the "Hammam Siknany", flowed as already described into the large basin before the Nymphäum, the further course of the Qanat Fir'aun you find therefore here.
Here you can see the exact geolocation of this aqueduct section.
and what was previously meaningless without knowledge of the place now seems important: G. Schumacher writes "and descends over the basalt cliffs to Jisr el Mesari." That means the incoming altitude was calculated digitally correct, at 534m asl on Ok terrain. The level on the bridge, coincided also with the height data, at S = 526,5m asl. The old builders had no need at this point, as they could not reach both, the oldest part of the city, (el Kerak about 528m asl) as well as the high-altitude Roman district south and south-east of it (about 535m asl). The aqueduct watercourse now circled around the southern Zediufer to reach the city in the southeast.
The maindirection from the jisr el mesari bridge over the "underground city" below the actual city and past El Kerak has the distinct advantage that there are water reservoirs without stagnant water or overflowing water. For example at the nighttime the water has just have to flow away into the valley. Everything is kept flowing and will be resumed when needed. The bridge in the city valley of Dera'a could only, as described in Adraha's pressurepipe sideline, with their pressure pipes only the supply of El Kerak, or Hammam Siknani have served.
The "underground city" described in detail by Wetzstein 1860 (very prosaic) and by G.Schumacher 1886 Across the Jordan (sober / analytical) turns out to be clear, as part of the water management of the Qanat Fir'aun, certainly with individual re-uses. Both the cross sections / longitudinal sections, as well the situation does not suggest otherwise. The walls are plastered ("remains of ancient plaster work ...") and the floor is always inclined in one direction ("slightly downwards ..."). In the description of G. Schumacher, he does not reach the interior beyond the "normal" door "Entrance", but he crawls through a tunnel from which he then falls from a certain height into the so called "vestibule".
Zugang zum Wasserentsorgungssystem in Rom
"Entrance" mit Stufen und Stirnwand gemäß Schumacher
The niches referred to in the Description, as shelves "Mangers"mentioned, were at least partially apparently incoming tunnel sections.
The often expressed thesis of the "subterranean escape city" misses on closer inspection of any logic. No high society, let alone the Romans, can seriously believe that they are retreating in really narrow corridors, without various exits in order to escape the dangers of war.
The rectangular "air holes" made with masonry which G.Schumacher found in each of the caverns (These Caverns were hardly more than 10-30m² in size, please remember Wetzsteins descriptions of the same Caverns mentioned as market squares and broad streets and that these have had served as the home of the biblical King Og) are clear and unambiguous well shafts that served the supply of the overlying villae anticae. G. Schumacher proves that as he notes that ruins are always to be found at these "air holes" on the surface and also shows this in section (left).
(Only one episode incidentally: King Og belonged to the giants' sex, he lived according to the Bible in Edrei/Deraa and Ashtarot/Tell Ashtara, according to the Bible alone his bed was 6 cubits (~3m) long, so this has not fitted through the narrow caverns and tunnels; -))))
In the course of the conquests of Adhriat / Adra during the crusades in the 12th century. , but is actually reported by an emergency situation in which the defenders of the city in probably just getting back into this tunnel system.
William of Tire describes this in one of his books, and this supports the suggestion made by me before, explicitly he mentioned the thirsty crusaders, which tried to draw water from the various draw wells of the city Adratum , but always from the defenders in the depths the Ropes were cut through! "so the distress of ours were increased ..."
So we have a proof of a watersupply, which could be entered if necessary, but the original function served only for water supply. From the situation can be concluded that also the water of the eastern outskirts located Ain et Tawileh was fed into the system.
In ancient Athens there was a similar system, but also in Gadara, a tunnel system led in wild branches was found and studied by P.Keilholz among others. Whether it also there were intermediate outlets through the entrances, or possibly wellshafts , is not known.
After analysis of the maps and the comparison with the digital and locally measured heights, the described entrance "Entrance" was at height approx. H = 515m asl. The Aqueduct descends and reaches below the center of the lower city at ground level ~ 535 m a height of 70 feet to the sole (estimate according to G. Schumacher), this would then correspond to S = 511m asl. The caverns / spatial enlargements and their arbitrary dimensions have something to do with the positioning of the well shafts and the overlying structures, etc. The recessed cisterns, if they come from the same time, would make sense as "storable sedimentation basins". Schumacher was not able to explore the routing at that time, but not only the course of the elevation, but also the cross sections of the tunnels (in plan, as dark ovals) and the final direction towards the Kerak point to a part of the aqueduct.
Thus, the line also reaches, but deeper than the area described below, at the large pool of the Hammam Siknany, which could measure about 75,000 m³ at a size of 82mx119m and over 8m depth.
Wetzstein and Schumacher describe the so-called mausoleum Siknany, which is located next to the hammam and with the height of the roof, at the level of the floor of the hammam.
Furthermore, he describes the construction as very massive and at the same time forming the pelvic wall of the large basin in 2 walls of it. The alleged entrance to the "mausoleum", for me an overflow, or expiration is located according to his statements clearly inside and lower in the basin, unfortunately, its height is not specified.
In addition, further cave entrances (shafts !!) are described, which were probably partly buried, and which moved along the top of the terrain. According to the text, these are said to have been connected with the "mausoleum" (Sketch Schumacher, at the side of the mausoleum with the inscription "Caves")
If we start from a bottom height of ~ 511m asl, which was determined last in the "underground city", then we would have to lie below the bottom of the basin (s = 509m).
The alleged mausoleum, in which should be hide "natural and obvious", according to the descriptors, supposedly gold and treasures ;-)) (Wetzstein and Schumacher), is therefore plausible and technically a water tower, in which the aqueduct again the excess water could absorb of the basin.
The lower basin (called "Basin") at the bridge, could have been supplied via a secondary line (height there in the valley 487 m asl). However, this would then speak for a later stage of construction of the above-discussed Castellum 2 and its management on top of the parapet of the viaduct, when the Great about 35m high Jisr el Mesari had already collapsed by earthquakes or the like.
The main aqueduct line pierced in the following el Kerak and flow down to the height of about 503m south of the Slope of the Wadi ez Zedi. Here several more rock-cut and interconnected cisterns could be filled before the aqueduct continued towards Muzeirib / Abou el Qantara and Jordan.
The further course of the Qanat Fir'aun can be found here.
For more information about Dera'a, you can also read Dera'a
Here you can see the exact geolocation of this aqueduct section.
When Ullrich Jasper Seetzen visited Dilli on 18 December 1805, it was uninhabited.
Already in the old literature of the 19th century Dilli, or the swamps at Dilli is named as the starting point of the Qanat Fir'aun.
In fact, the name "Dilli" is the same in all literature and the old maps, this is unusual because of the very different transcriptions of travelers from the arabic language.
However, the Roman dam seems to have been allready destroyed at the time of U. J. Seetzens visit, since he described even at this water-rich season no water surface, or even crossing. He describes a brook and the reed-covered flat area of the former lake, through which wild pigs pulled.
However, until 2007 there was no description or pictures of the dam until the Qanat Fir'aun Survey Team drove through the Village of Dilli.
Here were found remains of an old dam of Roman type and upstreams a meanwhile largely agricultural used reservoir area. Using my own measurements and SRTM data provided by NASA, I was able to make calculations on the former size, congestion heights and corresponding volumes. (see also left)
The illustration (left) already clearly shows that in addition to the actual dam wall, further ramparts and restraints were available. The data shown here (below) and calculations taken during further measurements (2010) and additional altitude data, shown on an old satellite image, show the almost complete extent of the congestion facilities as lines. In my estimation, the selection of exactly this satellite image is particularly concise, since these calculated wall structures actually emerge as surface contours in the picture. From the eastern dam, the foundation areas are still preserved in parts. The western dam area has disappeared in the modern village structures. The lake side originally graded dam side of the main embankment is still clearly recognizable by the bend in the main wall. The originally adjustable opening (sluice gate) in the curved part (here runs a curved basalt tongue used as a foundation) along the main wall, was apparently later expanded and provided the inflow to a 1.5 ha area, which could be dammed separately at least up to 2m ( > 30000m³) and lays 1.50m above the actual riverbed. Whether this already existed in Roman times is unknown, but from the soil structure it seems to have been used as a retention basin until the 20th century and could thus supply downstreams lying mills. (see also S / W satellite image of the University of Maryland below).
s/w Sat.-Bild 1978 mit deutlich erkennbaren Verläufen
gleicher Ausschnitt mit Dammverlauf und Höhenlinien
For a basin that already existed in Roman times,speeks that the remainder of a gutter lying directly behind the wall, much higher than the actual riverbed, of which at status quo only Opus Cementicium remnants are left. This unusual point can not be explained as a scour protection behind the wall, as proposed for example by M.Döring. This proposed under a main overflow protection would then rather in the riverbed, actually as described by M.Döring at the lowest point and not as clearly detectable, next to the gutter and much higher. These remains formed with high probability an overflow of a seperate storage/settling basin into the river.
Reste der Überlaufrinne vom höhergelegenen Areal/Becken ( Position und Blickrichtung siehe schwarzer Pfeil im Bild ganz oben)
gekrümmter Mauerverlauf mit bereits herausgebrochenem Schalenmauerwerk des Opus Implectum
The Qanat Fir'aun leads further south, more information about the following section you will get here.
Here you can see the exact geolocation of the Dam and Village.
The Region of the Ten Cities in today's Syria, Jordan and Israel
were merged according to the current state of knowledge, at the latest around 63 BC., from the Hellenistic Cities founded between the 3rd to the 1st century BC.
Pliny the E. gave us a list of cities and we can find the clear assignment to today's places. The provided evidences of many localities shows that they were already in bloom before the centuries of Christ.
Some of them are praising themselves as Hellenistic Foundings, but they are sometimes also mentioned 1500 years earlier in war reports, or tribute payments of the Egyptian or Assyrian empire under their "original name".
Certainly not only 10 cities or "Polis" are merged within the Decapolis, this is not only explained by the different Lists, since the scriptures of Plinius the E. . The archaeological findings, the location on the roads or the Dekapolis aqueduct also help here. The most striking indications are, of course, the eras used (usually the Pompeian era) on found coins, or even inscriptions that have been preserved.
Especially the cities of this region were characterized by theaters, large public baths and water games, as well as partially 13-18m high temples. In addition to many other deities and at a later time the very early settled Christianity here, stood until this time Agathe-Tyche as Fate / Fortune and city goddess,of the Decapolis region in very high rank.
With her crown, usually depicted as a city wall, she stood like no other, for the independent "polis" of the city union.
As can be seen not only in the travel descriptions by S.Merrill, the region also thrived on its consistent water supply. Every major "community" in the region had a sophisticated water supply concept at that time. From the small aqueduct with connected reservoir, as in Er Rafid, or El Jahudije, to large aqueduct routes, as at the southwest end of the Sea of Galilee, the Luwakanal (flowing north from the Hauran), the so-called Demon Channel (flowing east from the Hauran Mountains) which supplied single castles of the Limes arabicus. Or the "Canal of Palma", (flowing westward from the Hauran), which supplied the region and places south of the trachonitis and west of the Hauran mountains with fresh water.
Also Qanawat, Dionysias and Philippopolis had there own Aqueduct Systems, also coming from the water-rich regions of the Hauran mountains known.
The longest among them, and at the same time "representing a world's unique engineering masterpiece" , was the Qanat Fir'aun named Aqueduct.
The Decapolis was not a solid entity and yet it can be shown that the area characterized by it and the Hellenistic tradition was coherent and also preserved as the main region in the successor constellations (Prov. Coile Syria).
Pliny the Elder describes Damascus, Philadelphia and Raphana are positioned against Arabia. So this Cities should describe both the maximum extent of the Decapolis region in north-south direction, as well as a furthest east-reaching area boundary. This fits very well, with the on this website from me here for the first time voiced assignment of Raphana to el Musmije or to its military predecessor settlement to Pliny's time (about 50-79 AD) with the name Ar-Rafiah in today's district of South Ghouta. See also single page "Raphana"
Except of Raphana and Dion, all Cities which were mentioned by Pliny, Eusebius, Ptolemy and Stephen v. Byzanz are today unequivocally identified. Through science, but were also repeatedly alternative locations for Canatha / Kanata (Qanawat), or Capitolias discussed.
Quotation from Pliny the Elder: "Most people, however, call Damascus, which is very fertile due to the irrigation, which is derived from the river Chrysorrhoas, which is almost completely exhausted.
Philadelphia, Rhaphana, which cities all lie to Arabia. Further, Scythopolis, which received its name from a Scythian colony, and was formerly called Nysa after Bacchus, whose nurse lies buried here.
Gadara on the river Hieromiax, the already mentioned Hippos, Dion, the water-rich Pella, Galasa and Canatha. Between and around these cities are the Tetrarchies, which, as it were, form individual districts for themselves and are considered kingdoms, namely:
Trachonitis, Paneas, in which Caesarea is located with the above-mentioned source, Abila, Arca, Ampeloessa, and Gabe. "
The list of regions between the cities of the Decapolis appears at the end of the list of Pliny.
Examining these in detail reveals a number of regions that describe a complete circle over 360 degrees.
At first "The Trachonitis", the area of Leddja, an area of ancient lava flows northeast of the Sea of Galilee, then Paneas with Ceasarea Phillipi in the north of the Sea of Galilee, after which the list extends further north and names the area of Abila, which is generally equated by science with that of Lysanias (Abilae Lysinia).
This is followed by a region of Arca, which I believe is the area on the western and southern shores of the Sea of Galilee. Due to the ancient names "Arḥa" in this area and the important Hellenistic localities at the exit of the Jordan from the Sea of Galilee, this region is the plausible Connection between the southwestern area of Scythopolis and the north and east decapolis cities. Umm el Junieh, Beit Yerah, El Kerak and the city of Philoteria located in this place (in my estimation the future episcopal city Helenopolitanus in Palestine), show by various finds, among other things of city deities (Agathe-Tyche, usually depicted with city wall crown), their importance in Hellenistic times. The Emperor's mother Helena, who made various foundations here later on the Sea of Galilee, gave the Diosese Helenopolis the name.
For the sake of completeness, the localized Arca (Archais) should be mentioned further south in the Jordan Valley for this area.
In the list of Pliny follows now, the mostly neglected Ampeloessa (the Vineland /region of the vineyards / rich of Grapes)which i localize southeast of the Sea of Galilee. In my estimation the association with Abila at Wadi Queilbeh and its surroundings up to Beit Ras (Capitolias) would be very correct here. This would also plausibly explain the long-discussed omission of the "Abila of Dekapolis". Numerous artifacts, as well as old and new maps testify the ancient wine growing, for instance also the Names plain of viticulture "Ard el Karm" , or the Vineyard Karm ash Sheikh called mountainside. Furthermore, terms such as Winepress Kelter etc. can also be found in old topographic locations. These entries are all in the area between Abila and Beit Ras (Capitolias).
The enumeration of Pliny concludes with the region / empire "Gabe", which is also said to be a region between the cities of the Decapolis. That these are not the places with this name in the Carmel Mountains or today's Israel, it seems clear.
In my estimation, the Gabe area was around the village of Gabia (east of the Sea of Galilee) or both owed their names to each other. Gabia, which until the 12th century was known as an important point along the main road between Damascus and the Ajlun region, and the region mentioned by Pliny was thus near the striking and high Tell el Jabiha around Sheikh Saad, the ancient Carneas.
Thus, the circle of regions closes in the list of Pliny and thus forms a consistent picture of the Decapolis region.
Repeatedly it is also becomes clear that the Decapolis region must have consisted of significantly more than the 10 named cities.
However, as was well and extensively studied by H.Bietenhard among others, the confederation was always subject to change, and so we can find within the scriptures of C. Ptolemaeus other cities, which, if properly read, may even be attributed to the later region designation of Coile Syria. For completeness, all additional places in the list are named here: Heliopolis = Baalbek
Saana = Saana Bosana (in eastern Hauran)
Ina = Inachos = Anat between Imtan (Motha) and Deir al Kahf (Speluncae)
Samulis = Simlin / Ankhel south of Es sanamein (Aere)
Abila = Tel Abil at the Wadi Queilbeh (already indirectly called at Plinius and a capital of the region Ampeloessa)
Kapitolias = Beit Ras (already indirectly mentioned in Pliny and a capital of the Ampeloessa region)
Adra = Dera'a
Gadora (kome) = near Es salt (also according to the coordinates given at Ptolom. Northwest of Philadelphia)
So here we have a list, written about 100 years later which already contains 18 place names.
For more information on a selection of remarkable places within the Dekapolis, see here.
The following, always referring to the current satellite images, places can be interpreted as follows.
Pin in red = designation as city of the Dekapolis at Plinius the Elder.
Pin in blue = Indirect entry within the scripture of Plinius the Elder mentioned in the Decapolis region (see explanation and original text above).
Pin in red with a 2 or Violet with a 2 = These places were named both by Pliny and Ptolemy and others.
The limit of the Dekapolis, coarsely drawn up by me, includes the associated areas of the cities and shows that in the approximately 100 years between the description of Pliny and Ptolemaeus, only small extensions have taken place.
The 2nd Kanata (probably today's Kerak) is also noted, no matter of Pliny the Elder meant this, or today's Qanawat, the Kerak-Village would have been also within Pliny's "Gabe" region, which I have outlined here.
For the development of the Decapolis in the same limits to the first dioceses of Christianity, compare also "The First Dioceses"
This is an aqueduct dated from the Seleucid and in particular the Roman time during the Decapolis. At that time, this city network located in today's Syria, Jordan and Israel, connected major and historical cities.
The aqueduct carried water for the Decapolis and therefore improved the region's development and wealth. By the fall of the city network, which was also caused by several earthquakes of enormous extensions, the derelict Decapolis aqueduct was further rebuild and refurbished over the course of centuries in order to continue its use.
The highlights are the large number of sources fed in, the dam with the reservoir el Ghab at the beginning, the over 35m high aqueduct bridge, Jisr el Mesari, over the Wadi ez Zedi to the east of today's Dera'a and the tunnel sections beginning immediately afterwards with a total of approx. 97km Length.
In the first section, due to the topography, only shorter qanat tunnels with canals running at ground level were used. Only after crossing the Wadi ez Zedi at Abu el Qantara did the aqueduct enter the long tunnel section.
This tunnel (~85km) is the longest tunnel in the ancient world, despite being interrupted by at least 3 discovered bridges.
eine der ersten Karten mit dem "Kanatir Fir'on / C.W.M. van de Velde Druck:Gotha 1865
By following the navigation on this website, you find further information to the region and the cities, which are connected to the aqueduct.
These information will continuously completed and present a real scientific database to this outstanding construction. As a matter of course, I am pleased to answer any further questions ( click here for the email contact ). There are many more fields with the potential to be closer studied and examined.
Currently, you are in the main category of Qanat Fir'aun. By following the subpages, some prominent facts about the construction are described in more detail.
Within the content area (on the right) of each website, you find mostly a below link which brings you directly to the Qanat Fir'aun section regardless of reservoir, bridge, substruction or tunnel.
you find further information incl. the exact geolocation by following the links and the subpages.
eine der ersten Karten mit dem "Kanatir Fir'on / C.W.M. van de Velde Druck:Gotha 1865
