Research on the History, Function and Architectural Features of the Harran Saqiyas

The saqiya is a mechanical water lifting / raising device consisting of a wooden apparatus for the extraction , transfer of the water. These devices are spread over a wide geo-graphical area and were pioneering technological inventions for centuries. They have been studied by many scholars in terms of their architectural features, cultural dimensions and artistic qualities. However, in Anatolia, there are no studies on saqiyas. Excavations in Harran between 2014-2018 have unearthed illuminating examples of these devices in recent years. Although they may seem less prestigious than many other architectural types, they formed the basis for our research. The archaeological finds and architectural components of the two saqiya apparatuses date from Late Antiquity up to the Middle Ages. In this study, the chronology, function and architectural features of the Harran saqiyas from various periods are discussed and compared with similar examples found in Syria, Jordan and Israel. With the data obtained, the relationship of the Harran saqiyas with structures such as baths, mosques, castles and palaces in the context of urbanization was examined , their archaeological, iconographic and cultural dimensions were evaluated.