Heritage with Related Tags
Las Médulas
In the 1st century AD, Roman authorities began mining gold in this area of northwestern Spain using a technology based on water power. After two centuries of mining, the Romans withdrew, leaving behind a desolate landscape. In the absence of subsequent industrial activity, surprising traces of this remarkable ancient technology can be seen everywhere, such as steep walls on the hillsides and large areas of tailings, now used for agriculture.
Ancient Villages of Northern Syria
The approximately 40 villages scattered across eight parks in northwestern Syria provide powerful evidence of rural life in the late ancient and Byzantine periods. Built between the 1st and 7th centuries and abandoned between the 8th and 10th centuries, the villages feature well-preserved landscapes and architectural remains of dwellings, pagan temples, churches, cisterns, baths, etc. The cultural landscape of the villages also serves as an important example of the transition from the ancient pagan world of the Roman Empire to Byzantine Christianity. The remains of hydraulic technology, protective walls, and Roman agricultural plot planning further demonstrate the mastery of agricultural production by the local population.
Water Management System of Augsburg
The city of Augsburg's water management system evolved through several stages from the 14th century to the present day. It includes a network of canals, water towers built between the 15th and 17th centuries that housed pumps, a water-cooled butcher's hall, a system of three monumental fountains, and hydroelectric power stations that still provide sustainable energy today. The technical innovations that resulted from this water management system helped make Augsburg a pioneer in hydraulic engineering.
Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System
The Upper Harz Mining Water Management System, located in the mining area of Rammelsberg and south of the town of Goslar, has been developed over a period of about 800 years to aid the mining of non-ferrous metals. Its construction was initially carried out by Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages and then developed on a large scale from the late 16th century to the 19th century. It consists of an extremely complex but perfectly coherent system of artificial ponds, small waterways, tunnels and underground drains. It enabled the development of hydroelectric power for use in mining and metallurgical processes. It is a major site of mining innovation in the Western world.
Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout
The facilities in the Kinderdijk-Elshout area admirably demonstrate the outstanding contribution of the Dutch people to water technology. The construction of hydraulic works for land drainage for agriculture and settlement began in the Middle Ages and continues to this day. The site displays all the typical features associated with this technology - dikes, reservoirs, pumping stations, administrative buildings and a series of well-preserved windmills.