Abstract:
This research investigates the geomorphological dynamics of sand dunes and their significant impact on the ancient Persian Qanats, in the Ain Manawir region of Egypt. The study explores the movement of aeolian sand, revealing that the mean annual displacement velocities of dunes in this area are notably higher than those in other global arid environments, such as the Sahara and Namib Deserts.
The impact of dune movement on the ancient qanat systems is profound. Dunes have progressively buried several qanats, complicating efforts to study their original design and functionality. Some qanats, however, have been uncovered as dunes shift. The research further explores the burial of open qanats, which have become increasingly susceptible to sand accumulation, The shifting dunes also threaten the ancient agricultural landscape of Ain Manawir, which flourished during the Roman period due to advanced irrigation techniques. The dunes are encroaching on these agricultural fields, gradually obscuring evidence of the intricate water management systems that once sustained the region’s productivity.