They discovered one of the first irrigation systems from 2,700 years ago in Armenia

In the area of the ancient Urartian city of Argishtikhinili, in Armenia, an international team of researchers discovered an extensive network of over 600 miles of water management structures. Using satellite imagery and digital terrain models, they confirmed the existence of a sophisticated irrigation system built about 2,700 years ago.

This work allowed agriculture to flourish in the dry Ararat basin, a region that would otherwise have been very challenging for cultivation. The Urartians, an ancient kingdom that dominated parts of the Caucasus and Anatolia, ingeniously designed canals that transported water over long distances without the need for pumps.

Inscription on stelae from the Kingdom of Urartu already mentioned five main canals that supplied the city of Argishtikhinili, its fields, orchards, and vineyards. All of this supported the economy and power of the Urartian state.

The Key Role of Water in Antiquity

Specialists Nazarij Buławka and Krzysztof Jakubiak from the University of Warsaw, along with Inessa Karapetyan from the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, led the study. They emphasized that the knowledge of artificial irrigation was not surprising for the Urartians, given their ability to transform arid landscapes into productive ones.

However, not all identified canals were necessarily built by them. “Dating irrigation canals is extremely difficult due to the constant sediment drag during their use,” explained Jakubiak. To pinpoint the exact date, it would be necessary to drill and analyze samples from the bottom in search of organic remains that allow for radiocarbon dating.

The complete system not only ensured the supply of water for drinking and irrigation but also controlled the flow precisely over large distances. This demonstrates a high level of engineering for the time.

The research was based on modern technology that allowed for detailed mapping of these ancient works without extensive initial excavations. The findings reinforce the idea that the Urartians were masters in water resource management in a challenging environment.

Implications for Regional History

Thanks to this system, agricultural production in the Ararat basin grew significantly, supporting the growth of the city and its surroundings. Fields, orchards, and vineyards directly benefited from the channeled water, strengthening the economy of the Kingdom of Urartu.