Do aqueducts still carry water?

Aqueducts have carried water from one location to another since antiquity and they continue to do so in many parts of the world.

What was an aqueduct used for?

Aqueducts carry water from a place where there is plenty to another place where it is scarce. This is particularly useful for agriculture or for places where many people live.

Who invented aqueducts?

It is difficult to say who invented aqueducts as they have been used since ancient times. Both ancient Mesopotamia and the Minoan Civilization on Crete used aqueducts in the 2nd millennium BCE. These early aqueducts were made of clay tiles.

Aqueduct Timeline

Definition

Aqueducts transport water from one place to another, achieving a regular and controlled supply to a place that would not otherwise receive sufficient quantities. Consequently, aqueducts met basic needs from antiquity onwards such as the irrigation of food crops and drinking fountains. Ancient aqueducts took the form of tunnels, surface channels and canals, covered clay pipes and monumental bridges.

More about: Aqueduct

Timeline

c. 1900 BCE
The first aqueducts were constructed in Mesopotamia and on Minoan Crete.
c. 1400 BCE
The Mycenaeans constructed aqueducts at Tiryns and Mycenae.
c. 850 BCE
Long-distance aqueducts including tunnels were constructed in the Assyrian empire.
c. 750 BCE
Sophisticated networks of aqueducts are constructed at Babylon.
c. 580 BCE
Long-distance aqueducts were constructed at Samos and Athens.
312 BCE
Rome's first aqueduct constructed, the 16 km long Aqua Appia.
272 BCE - 269 BCE
Rome's Anio Vetus aqueduct constructed.
c. 250 BCE
Syracuse is supplied by three aqueducts.
c. 200 BCE
Pergamon is supplied by a sophisticated network of aqueducts.
144 BCE - 140 BCE
Rome's 91 km long Aqua Marcia aqueduct constructed.
c. 80 BCE
Roman aqueduct built at Pompeii.
c. 50 CE
The largest Roman aqueduct, 49 m high, completed at Pont du Gard.