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Analysis of the role of topographic factors in the spatial location of traditional water structures (Case study: Khusf County)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor in Archaeology, Jiroft University, Jiroft, Iran.

2 Assistant professor in Archaeology, Lorestan University, Khoram-Abad, Iran.

3 PhD student in Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22077/jaaq.2025.9940.1121

Abstract

The central regions of Iran, located within arid and semi-arid climatic zones, have historically faced significant challenges in securing adequate water resources for both domestic consumption and agriculture. Consequently, the inhabitants of these areas developed a variety of adaptive strategies to ensure water availability. Over time, these strategies encompassed not only the management of groundwater resources but, in certain localities, the efficient harnessing of surface water as well. Khusf County, situated in southern Khorasan, provides a remarkable case study in this regard. Here, local communities constructed hydraulic installations such as bandsars (earthen dams) and cisterns (āb-anbārs) along the paths of seasonal runoff, thereby securing water for irrigation and drinking purposes. This research, based on systematic archaeological surveys combined with topographic analysis in a GIS environment, seeks to identify these structures and to elucidate their spatial distribution and functional role in surface water management. The findings indicate that the placement of these hydraulic features was closely aligned with the region’s topography and natural landscape, ensuring optimal utilization of surface water resources. Specifically, bandsars were constructed at higher elevations and in proximity to alluvial fans, typically away from settlement centers, while cisterns were positioned at lower elevations near residential areas. The siting of cisterns on steeper slopes facilitated the rapid conveyance of water with minimal sediment deposition, whereas bandsars were placed on gentler slopes where reduced water velocity enabled both the accumulation of water and limited sedimentation.

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Journal of Aquifer and Qanat
Volume 6, Issue 1 - Serial Number 10
October 2025
Pages 131-148
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