The Underground Rivers of Turkmenistan – Ancient Qanats

The Underground Rivers of Turkmenistan – Ancient Qanats

From above, thin, winding lines stretch across the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains — not unlike the Nazca lines in Peru. But these aren’t symbols. 
They’re qanats — ancient underground aqueducts that once made life in the desert possible.

And they’re still here.

What Are Qanats?

Thousands of years ago, Turkmen engineers dug tunnels by hand to bring mountain water to dry valleys.
 No pumps. No pipes. Just gravity and brilliance.
 Water from spring rains was captured underground, cooled by ventilation shafts, and channeled into oases and farms.

Some qanats stretch over 10 kilometers and still carry water today.

Ancient Qanats of Turkmenistan

Who Built Them?

Greek historian Polybius mentioned qanats in the 6th century BCE.
 Medieval Arab scientists wrote about them in detail.
 Even during the Russian Empire, they were restored and used to supply Ashgabat with fresh, mineral-rich water.

In fact, Ashgabat had over 40 qanats before the 1948 earthquake.

Why Are They Special?

  • Soft, clean water still flows inside
  • Cool tunnels shelter birds like pigeons
  • They represent a sustainable, ancient water system still admired by engineers today
  • Locals even had special rituals to bless the completion of a new tunnel — their craftsmanship was legendary.

Would You Explore Qanats?

We include qanat visits in our eco-cultural tours. You’ll:

  • Walk ancient irrigation tunnels
  • Learn the secrets of their construction
  • Discover how ancient farmers survived centuries of drought

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