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Book Cover for: The Dams and Water Management Systems of Minoan Pseira, Philip P. Betancourt

The Dams and Water Management Systems of Minoan Pseira

Philip P. Betancourt

Excavations at the Bronze Age seaport on Pseira Island uncovered the remains of sophisticated water retention systems that included the addition of retaining walls to prevent erosion, massive dams with associated reservoirs, and small check-dams to ravines that reached over one hundred meters in length in order to control water runoff and make it available for human use. Agriculture was one of the cornerstones of the Bronze Age Cretan economy, and it is no surprise that the ancient inhabitants of the island went to great lengths to control water runoff and make it available for human use. Despite the application of traditional archaeological survey methods, the full extent of the water management systems was not understood fully as the island's rugged topography prevented intensive and thorough survey of many places. The use of a differential Global Positioning System (dGPS) unit provided the opportunity to take a fresh look at the evidence for water management on the island. The results of this study contribute substantial amounts of new information on the little known subject of Minoan water conservation and control.

Book Details

  • Publisher: INSTAP Academic Press
  • Publish Date: Sep 1st, 2012
  • Pages: 112
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.90in - 6.00in - 0.30in - 0.52lb
  • EAN: 9781931534666
  • Categories: Ancient - GreeceArchaeologyReal Estate - General

About the Author

Betancourt, Philip P.: - PhD; Laura H. Carnell Professor of Prehistoric Aegean Art and Archaeology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; retired Adjunct Professor of Art History, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; 2003 Gold Medal for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement, Archaeological Institute of America; author and editor of numerous articles and books in Aegean Bronze Age Art and Archaeology.