Economic importance of groundwater wells in ancient Egypt

Abstract

Groundwater (springs - wells) is a source of fresh water in ancient Egypt. It is the water found in the rocky layers of the ground. It is extracted naturally by means of springs or artificially by drilling wells. Its importance is evident in places where water sources are depleted, such as deserts surrounding the Nile and its oases. The paper aims at clarifying the economic importance of the groundwater derived from the drilling of wells and the extent of the ancient Egyptian's exploitation of wells. It also points out how groundwater wells are managed and the responsible officials and those who maintain them. Moreover, it shows the roles of wells in life and economic aspects represented in supplying water to cities and irrigating agricultural land and securing convoys' roads and mining missions

Keywords

• Groundwater
• Wells
• Water supply
• Villages and Towns
• Gricultural land
• Caravans
• Quarries and Mines