Ancient hydraulic works

Zakros sewage

Hydrosystem:Zakros
Use: Urban Sewage
Construction era: Minoan-Cycladic
Types: Sewer Pipes
Operation era: Minoan-Cycladic
Location: Greece - Crete island
References:
  • Angelakis, A. N., D. Koutsoyiannis, and G. Tchobanoglous, Urban wastewater and stormwater technologies in ancient Greece, Water Research, 39(1), 210-220, 2005.

In addition to Knossos and other Minoan cities, Zakros provides us with well-preserved remains of sophisticated networks in which descending shafts and well-constructed stone sewers and drains, large enough to permit the passage of a person (Platon, 1974). Yet, there is evidence that the entire system was not effective in times of intense or extended storms. However, due to the privileged location of the site in a natural slope, the final disposal of wastewater and storm water at sea was easily attained. Platon (1974) finds three basic types of conduits in the sewerage system of Zakros: (a) a clay conduit, (b) a conduit built up with stones, and (c) a narrow type of conduit constructed with stones but open at the top. Very similar practice was applied in the palace of Phaistos.

External links:

Except where otherwise noted, the text and the pictures are copyright by their respective authors. The entire compilation is
(C) 2009-2010 National Technical University of Athens
Except where otherwise noted, permission is hereby granted to copy, distribute and modify this work, either in part or the entire compilation, under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution - Share Alike license version 3.0.