A qanat is an underground channel consisting of verticals shafts connected at their bottom with a sub-horizontal tunnel bringing water from an aquiferous stratum, with a slight downward slope useful for the water tapped to run down it and into the open air by gravity. Qanats were first developed in Kurdistan as a side result of mining activity by the early millennium B.C. at the latest. Qanats exist in more than 34 countries all over the world, but most are concentrated in present day Iran. In Italy, Sicily is usually cited for its Ingruttati, but also in the Campania Region, there are some qanats (Qanate). As a matter of fact, this study describes the historical, biological and morphological aspects of the Roccarainolas qanat located in the district of Naples, in Southern Italy. It dates back to the Roman Ages, but currently the hypogean environmental condition misrepresents its ancient state. The animal species discovered forty years ago in the Roccarainola qanat were substantially small sized arthropods, a planaria and some species of bats. The Roccarainola qanat is composed of three branches for a total length of 786 meters, with a drop of 9 meters. The tunnel slope varies from around 1.70 cm/m to 5.20 cm/m. However, original slopes have been modified due to accumulation of debris and waste. Seventeen vertical shafts (not internally covered) with a circular section were found along the hypogeum. On the average, the shafts are spaced 36.5 m apart.
G. De Feo*, S. De Gisi*, C. Malvano*, D. Capolongo**, S. Del Prete***,
M. Manco***, F. Maurano****, E. Tropeano****
* Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, via Ponte don Melillo,1 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy, g.defeo@unisa.it
** Circolo Culturale B.G. Duns Scoto di Roccarainola, Roccarainola (NA), Italy
*** Federazione Speleologica Campana, via G. Papini, 3 – 80046 San Giorgio a Cremano (NA), Italy
**** Gruppo Speleologico Natura Esplora, via Reanni, 3 – 83010 Summonte (AV), Italy
IWA Specialty Conference: 2nd International Symposium on
Water and Wastewater Technologies in Ancient Civilizations
May 28th, 29th, 30th, Bari Italy 2009