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The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

bbc.com

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Re: The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

#11

Post by krisoft »

zeristor wrote: post #4

There must be hundreds of places around the world who could make use of this. How many other ones in Spain have been abandoned? If this was established by the Moors then I would guess other ex-Moor states would have a similar setup.

> If this was established by the Moors then I would guess other ex-Moor states would have a similar setup.

Sure thing! In Madeira they have many ancient aquaducts originally estabilished by the Moors:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levada

Ancient water management is a fascinating topic.

The qanats in the middle-east, and north africa are particularly interesting. They are underground water conduits and sources dug by human muscles alone.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qanat

Re: The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

#12

Post by asabil »

tough wrote: post #7
asabil wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, throughout Morocco’s south east you will find what’s called khettaras (خطارة). They are underground irrigation network that was used to transport water from the Atlas Mountains to regions about 300km away.They were in used until the late 80s as far as I know.

Wow fascinating, do you have any idea why they stopped being used? Cynical me says to earn some kickback money for building new industrial pipes..

Droughts, there is simply not as much water as there used to be :(

Re: The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

#13

Post by zeristor »

“You must plant the rain before you plant a seed or tree!” proclaimed rain farmer Mr. Zephaniah Phiri Maseko of Zimbabwe. By doing just that, he and his family turned a wasteland into an oasis, raised groundwater and well levels even in dry years, reduced flooding in wet years, and enhanced the fertility of the soils. This inspiring story will be shared along with the strategies used, and more importantly, the guiding principles that informed the choice, placement, and implementation of these strategies into a more integrated and productive system. These principles work in any climate experiencing a dry season or drought. And they help us see and act more holistically by asking us questions that direct our attention to important aspects of water and fertility systems we might otherwise overlook.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=D6_WZ789lpM

Re: The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

#14

Post by bell-cot »

The article is about some low-tech but historically effective water-management techniques, brought to Spain by the Muslim conquest (711-721). It walks back very quickly on the headline's claim of "invention". And mentions that similar techniques were independently invented in other parts of the world.

Note: "Moor" is both a wretchedly vague exonym, and often a mild ethnic slur.

Re: The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

#15

Post by zeristor »

LargoLasskhyfv wrote: post #9
tough wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow fascinating, do you have any idea why they stopped being used? Cynical me says to earn some kickback money for building new industrial pipes..

You mean like this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Man-Made_River

No like this, Qanat:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qanat

Re: The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

#17

Post by LargoLasskhyfv »

zeristor wrote: post #15
LargoLasskhyfv wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean like this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Man-Made_River

No like this, Qanat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qanat

I answered to the "cynincal me" part of tough (industrial, kickback, etc) ;-)

Re: The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

#18

Post by asabil »

lifeisstillgood wrote: post #10
tough wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow fascinating, do you have any idea why they stopped being used? Cynical me says to earn some kickback money for building new industrial pipes..

It seems to me that the acequia are an open and distributed technology, so even when the central authority collapsed, each individual community was able to keep the services running based on that technology, for over a thousand years. Modern irrigation is incredible, modern cities are amazing, modern software connects most humans on the planet. But ... we can learn.

That was the exact same with the khettaras, they were built and Maintained by the communities.

Talking about notion of a central authority that provides governance is an anachronism in the context of North Africa. But that’s a separate discussion.

Re: The Moorish invention that tamed Spain's mountains

#20

Post by yucky »

drooopy wrote: post #16

*Moopish invention

^Came here for this, so thank you ;)

For anybody that wants to go down a very interesting rabbit hole start here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorish_Science_Temple_of_Amer... and wander as needed. Would also recommend the related mystery of this man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Fard_Muhammad.

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