About 40 km southeast of Cairo, close to the town of Helwan, lie the ruins of the Sadd-el-Kafara, a large embankment dam built approximately 3,700 years ago. Its primary purpose was to contain the waters stemming from sudden storms and heavy floods. It also served the dual function of providing water to laborers and animals involved in quarrying stone and marble for the construction of the pyramids and temples in the vicinity. Unfortunately, the dam was destroyed by a flood before it could be completed. Rediscovered less than 140 years ago, today it is recognized as the oldest dam of such size in the world.
Photo credit: Matthieu Götz
Click Here to read more Amusing Planet
Sadd el-Kafara: The Oldest Dam in The World
4/
5
Oleh
photofun4ucom
