Modelling the freshwater supply of cisterns in ancient Greece

Abstract

In this paper, we model the function of rainwater harvesting cisterns in ancient Greece. The model calculates on a monthly basis: (1) the collected and stored volume of water; (2) the amount of water extracted for individual use; and (3) the potential accumulated surplus available by the end of a month. The potential of the model is explored through two case studies based on material from Olynthos in Thessaly and Dystos on ancient Euboia by running 26 consecutive annual cycles utilizing modern precipitation data from meteorological stations as a proxy for ancient precipitation and precipitation variability. Our results show that cisterns can provide ample amounts of freshwater to households and function as buffers for water stress in shorter (monthly), and longer terms (seasonally, yearly and between years). The two cisterns in this paper yield between 10.7 and 86.6 m 3 per annum with a strong variability in collected water volumes within and between years. Yet, this variability is, largely predictable and thus the use of cisterns in ancient Greece should be viewed in the light of predictable variability that required active participation from members of the household to be efficient.

Going against the flow. Wells, cisterns and water in ancient Greece

“…41 Chrysoulaki et al 2017. 42 Followed by an article (Klingborg & Finné 2018) discussing the water supply capacity of cisterns in Olynthos and Dystos. 43 Klingborg 2019. how cisterns functioned and were used in their context.…”

Water Quality Focusing on the Hellenic World: From Ancient to Modern Times and the Future

“…There, similarly to Minoans, the water supply system was based on coarse sand filters in the ground to filter the rainwater before it flowed into the underground cistern (Figure 3). Cisterns, however, were not intended to receive a constant inflow because they were not primarily designed to facilitate a continuous outflow [22]. [22].…”

“…Cisterns, however, were not intended to receive a constant inflow because they were not primarily designed to facilitate a continuous outflow [22]. [22].…”

“…Figure 3. Olynthus bottle-shaped cistern with a small tank for pretreatment, including the capture of debris and sediment: (a) plan and (b) cross section[22].…”

Learning from the Past: What Cultural Heritage Can Teach Us About Water Storage and Management

“…According to these authors, rainwater-harvesting cisterns were built not only as public facilities but also as private ones, in several past civilizations, with many of testimonial ruins. Klingborg and Finné (2018) consider that the Mediterranean region is a good source of information for studying issues of water supply from this time scale perspective, owing to its long history of human activity with a relatively wellinvestigated archaeological record. In this context, we propose to looking at a past still living, searching for examples of cisterns still working in the present days to function as vivid lessons.…”