Water saving techniques such as condensation caves and pits, stone arrangements for rainfall harvesting, and underground dams are fairly well widespread in the Mediterranean region arid and semi-arid areas. to the ancients these technologies became widespread. In southern Italy, the Sassi of Matera represents a typical example of the traditional use of water resources in the Mediterranean region. The local knowledge system has towns built along the borders of deep valleys (gravines) that have little or no water carrying capacity. Settlements are not placed in the canyon bottoms, but instead were placed on the upper part along the plateau and the steep slopes. The water resources are rainfall and dew that are harvested in drains and cave dwellings. Original prehistoric methods used water production techniques such as catchment, distillation, and condensation, all of which, are used in the Sassi of Matera. During rainfalls terracing and the water collection system protect the slopes from erosion, and water flows by gravity to cisterns in the caves. During dry periods, moisture condenses from the air at night in a final underground cistern.
The town is built as a vertical structure with up to ten levels of caves, one on top of the others, with dozens of bell-shaped cisterns connected to each other by means of canals and water filter systems as shown in Fig. 11.3. Vertical structure of the town allows the use of gravity for water distribution. The town has a maze of small streets, stairs, and underground passage ways that follow the ancient hydraulic structures.
Fig. 11.3 The Sasso of Barisano in Matera (Laureano, 2001)
During the 1950s, the Sassi of Matera was closed as a result of the neglected condition, requiring 20,000 inhabitants to move out. Abandoned houses became the property of the state, who built a wall to prevent reoccupation of the dwellings. In 1986, the Italian government, motivated by individuals involved in cultural activities, allocated money (100 billion liras) to restore the sassi. In 1993 Sassi of Matera became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By year 2006 around 3000 inhabitants returned to live in the cave homes (Laureano, 2006).
Sassi of Matera is an excellent example of the restoration of traditional water collection systems, illustrating natural resources management capabilities (water, sun, and energy) that were once utilized, but today are neglected. Laureano (2006) is right on target to say that, “It is necessary to maximize the potential of a town at a local level to assure its harmonious and sustainable development.” Unfortunately “modernization” often destroys traditional methods, threatening the ecological equilibrium.
World History
