Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
One of the oldest engineering masterpieces in Iran and the world that has been constructed as an economical-industrial complex is Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System in the vicinity of the Shushtar historical area under Sassanid Empire. This system has been registered in UNESCO's list of World Cultural Heritage Sites in 2009, referred to as a "masterpiece of creative genius."
Description
This ancient system demonstrates outstanding universal value as in its present form. It can be traced back to Darius the Great in the 5th century B.C. It involved the creation of two main diversion canals on the Karun River, one of these canals is named Gargar canal and is currently in use, providing water to the city of Shushtar via a series of tunnels that supply water to mills.
The property has an ensemble of remarkable sites including the Salasel Castel, the operation centre of the entire Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System , the tower where the water level is measured, damns, bridges, basins and mills. Engineers of Shushtar hydraulic system, with their ingenuity, used all kinds of capabilities in the construction of these structures. From the water supply system and the mills, to the water division of the river and the defense system. It forms an eye-catching cliff encircled by water passageways and cascades. The water flow eventually pours into a downstream basin followed by a vast plain situated southward of the city.
History
Darius, the king of Achaemenid dynasty has begun the construction of this great structure, although it has been restored and completed in many years by various dynasties, including the Sassanid dynasty. The Sassanids used the ancient water treatment techniques to share the water provided by Karun between different areas of Shushtar and even some other nearby cities. Parts of this hydraulic system are still working even after centuries. The constructional materials used in this complex have been mainly granite and a plaster of lime and mortar.