Historical Water Springs in the Eastern Desert of Egypt: A Geomorpho-Archaeological Study.

Document Type : Peer-reviewed articles

10.21608/ejec.2025.451731

Abstract

Water springs have a long history of human appreciation, providing accessible drinking water and shaping human settlements into green oases. They have also influenced cultural perceptions and hydrogeological studies. However, they have received little attention from geoarchaeologists. This study investigates the geological, geomorphological, and geoarchaeological attributes of ancient water springs in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, which were crucial to ancient human settlements and mining activities. This paper investigates the geoarchaeological record of springs in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, focusing on the Water Temple and Kanais Temple. Fieldwork, geoarchaeological analysis, and sediment testing help understand climate change and carbonate soil features. The Eastern Desert of Egypt, characterized by the Red Sea and Nile, is home to natural water springs and ancient settlements. To accurately predict seasonal spring water flow, local driving forces must be considered when applying a regional model. This research aims to identify historic water systems in Egypt's Eastern Desert and their location and mapping. It also examines the need for further research and exploration. Despite the dry desert landscape's challenges, most sites are easily identifiable during vegetation or rain.

Keywords