Oinoanda: The Water Supply and Aqueduct

Abstract

The city of Oinoanda is situated on a lofty ridge rising some 300 m. above the surrounding plain, at a point of obvious strategic value. It is a naturally strong site, but it lacks a generous natural water supply. The following investigation of the various water supply arrangements formed part of the survey at Oinoanda conducted by the British Institute of Archaeology at Ankara under the direction of Mr. A. S. Hall, and with the cooperation and assistance of the Directorate of Antiquities of Turkey.There is a number of small springs on the slopes below the city, and there may have been more, or at least different ones, in antiquity (Fig. 1). There were probably springs at the Leto sanctuary on the west slope of the acropolis and more certainly at the sanctuary of the Nymphs on the east slope, although these do not now function, in summer at least, and perhaps never produced a great deal of water. A third sanctuary, much further down the east slope, also has a small spring, and was apparently devoted to Apollo. However, the only spring which nowadays produces water enough to contribute significantly to the supply of a substantial community lies some 500 m. west of the west gate and over 130 m. lower down, where it would be exposed to any attacking force.