THE CENTRAL WATER TUNNEL A NEW DISCOVERY AT UMM QAIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (JORDAN)

Abstract

This study brought a new data with reference to the water system of Umm Qais during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. One of the most prominent characteristics of Umm Qais (Gadara) is the water supply system that produced a fine example of human ingenuity and skill to react with the available natural resources. The water supply system and its associated installations, such as cisterns, tunnels, channels and pools, collected and stored water from rainwater and the springs surrounding the site or far away from it. The discovered tunnel is located below the Hellenistic temple in the lower part of the city to the north of the Decumanus Maximus. The systematic excavation work sheds light on the nature of the water system and the nature of settlement in this area of the site. Excavation revealed that the hydraulic system consists of a central tunnel associated with several pipelines and cisterns to collect and store water. Confidently according to the nature of the tunnel system, we can assure that it was an important part of the public hydraulic supply system of the site. This discovery is unique in Jordan and the surrounding area.