Hydropolitics Association

Symposium on " Water Management History in the Anatolia "concluded

17.10.2016
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17 October 2016 Symposium on Laodicea Water Law Tablet and Water Management History in the Anatolia concluded :

Historical water use rules showed us historical measures was more strict than those of todays rules.
1900 year-old water policy was strict for efficient water use and public interest oriented,

A symposium on "Water History in the Anatolia" hold on 14 -15 October 2016 by Pamukkale University , Hydropolitics Association and Antalya Regional Branch of Chamber of Civil Engineers. The symposium brought together researchers,academics,engineers ,practitioners and students to discuss 1,900-year-old “Water Law” tablet unearthed in Laodicea Site and Water use history in the Anatolia . Excavations in the city of Laodicea have been underway for many years, during which time archaeologists have unearthed thousands of artifacts, pagan temples, an old church, the foundations of an ancient house and columns of the North Sacred Agora and Central Agora

The ‘water law’ tablet dating back to 114 A.D., includes the strict measures that had formed the conditions regarding use of water coming from Denizli in 10-km-distance to the ancient site, ruled on behalf of Roman Empiror Traianus, within the mandate prepared by Anatolian State Governor Aulus Vicirius Matrialis.With respect to the mandate, strict penalties had ruled over people who caused water-pollution, inflicted damage on water ways and opened the sealed water pipes. In the symposium, head of the excavation works Professor Celal Şimşek from Pamukkale University. stated that this tablet includes very detailed informative historical water rules that helped us to evaluate water policy during that period . He also explained about the rules on the tablet. Some of the rules have following measures. Along with people breaking the rules, senior officials who had bestowed privilege to people to break the law had also been subject to penalty of about 12,500 denarius, thus 125,000 liras. Also the ones who mouthed on the offenders had been subject to a incentive’ For the inspection of water, two senior public officers and three “reliable men” had been assigned to the responsibility by the ancient assembly, according to the findings. Laodicea excavations chief Celal Şimşek of Pamukkale University also said: “The fine for damaging the water channel or polluting the water is 5,000 denarius, nearly 50,000 Turkish Liras,” he said. “The fine is the same for those who break the seal and attempt illegal use. Also, there are penalties for senior staff that overlook the illegal use of water. They pay 12,500 denarius. Those who denounce the polluters are given one-eighth of the penalty as a reward, according to the rules.” Those who divide the water for his personal use, should pay 5,000 denarius to the empire treasury; it is forbidden to use the city water for free or grant it to private individuals; those who buy the water cannot violate the Vespasian Edict; those who damage water pipes should pay 5,000 denarius; protective roofs should be established for the water depots and water pipes in the city; the governor’s office [will] appoint two citizens as curators every year to ensure the safety of the water resource; nobody who has farms close to the water channels can use this water for agriculture

In the symposium ,Director of Hydropolitics Association Dursun Yıldız has stated about 1900 years old historical water rules and regulations.Dursun Yıldız stated that “ The tablet unearthed at ancient site of Laodicea in Denizli explains ancient rules on water use as well as measures and fines in 1,900 years back in history .This very important historical tablet give us an opportunity to understand the main structure of water policy in the city of Laodicea. When we investigate the 30 items on the tablet, we can see 5 main rules that forms the 1900 year-old WATER POLICY given below; 1-Public interest oriented 2-Planned 3-Under the public control 4Justice in allocation 5-Drinking water priority Dursun Yıldız concluded his speech stressing that “1900 year-old water policy shows us water management has been always important on the base of planned approach and public interest oriented rules and regulations.” In the symposium academics have reviewed of the cultural heritage related to water infrastructures in Anatolia region. Prof. Dr Ünal Öziş mentioned about Anatolian water infrastructure including dams, aqueducts, irrigation canals, water conveyance systems, cisterns and fountains. Most of these infrastructures belongs to the ancient periods starting from several Centuries B.C.. Furthermore, the importance of water in the tradition and culture of Anatolia region throughout the history of civilization has been underlined by Prof Dr Fahri Işık and Dursun Özden.

Prof Dr Fahri Işık stressed that it is opposite to be known , ancient civilization has spread out from the Anatolia to the neighboring places including Greece. He said that if we trace the archeological signals in an objective way we can easily realise this historical fact.

Prof. Dr. N. Orhan Baykan The head of Organisation Committee of the Symposium Prof Dr. N. Orhan Baykan stressed in his opening speeceh and presentation that Anatolia is a very rich region about water culture and water infrastructure. In Anatolia too, where innumerable civilizations emerged throughout history, water gave life to various cultures and creeds and created a unique richness. Many beliefs found their ways in this land and displayed their respective rituals. It was also further enriched by Ottoman fountains and other water structures that are extraordinarily rich in terms of their architectural design and embellishments.

The symposium has lasted two days . In second day of the symposium , participant has visited to Ancient Laodicea city. During the visit ,Laodicea excavations chief Celal Şimşek of Pamukkale University is leaded to participants explaining about the civilization.