TEHRAN -- Iran is currently producing documents for its seven historical aqueducts (qanat) in order to submit them to UNESCO for registration on the World Heritage List as examples of historical Iranian water systems.

The aqueducts include Qasabeh near the city of Gonabad in Khorsan Razavi Province, Ebrahimabad near the city of Arak in Central Province, Vazvan near the city of Mimeh in Isfahan Province, Mun near the city of Ardestan in Yazd Province, Zarch near the city of Yazd, Deh-e No near the city of Hassanabad in Yazd Province and Jupar near the city of Kerman.
“Aqueducts were invented by Iranians, who then introduced them to the rest of the world,” International Center for Qanats and Historical Water Systems Director Ali-Asghar Semsar Yazdi told the Persian service of CHN on Wednesday.
“The water system represents a clear example of creativity and human talent. Thus it deserves to be registered on the list,” he added.
He said that this system of irrigation has been used in Iran since the first millennium BC and 31,943 aqueducts, most of which are located in Khorsan Razavi Province, are still in use across the country.
The most ornate aqueducts are located in Isfahan Province and the most advanced aqueducts have been dug in Yazd Province.
An aqueduct is a conduit or artificial channel for channeling water underground from a distant point, usually by means of gravity. Several wells are dug along the watercourse to refresh the water flowing through the channel. The aqueduct is also cleaned of sediment by means of the wells.
Iran’s Shushtar water system was previously registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List on June 26.
The waterworks is comprised of bridges, ponds, mills, aqueducts, reservoirs, tunnels and canals, most of which were constructed in the Sassanid period (224-651 CE), especially during the reign of Shapur I (241-272 CE).
Some structures of the system date back to the Achaemenid period.