A qanat is an ancient underground aqueduct system designed for the conveyance of groundwater over long distances, typically utilized in arid or semi-arid regions. This sophisticated infrastructure taps into subterranean water tables by digging a gently sloping, near-horizontal tunnel from an elevation point to a point of withdrawal. The water flows via gravity through the tunnel and then into a series of open feeder channels or wells near the surface. The primary engineering advantage of the qanat design is that it minimizes evaporation and contamination of the water source by keeping the flow underground for the majority of its path, making it a highly efficient method of irrigation and potable water supply in areas with limited surface water.