Evolution of hydrological knowledge and water management systems in Lebanon from antiquity to modern times

This work delves into the hydrological history of Lebanon. With its mountain-influenced Mediterranean climate and its geographic position, Lebanon has a rich history influenced by multiple civilizations (Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, etc.). The study, drawing from mythology, toponymy, archaeology, historical texts and maps, and grey and scientific literature, insists on the double epistemic and technological progress in terms of hydrological knowledge and of water management know how, with specific details about three old cities (Tyre, Beirut and Tripoli), rural settlements and agricultural irrigation. Curating hydrological data, information and knowledge from antiquity to the present is crucial in order to preserve legacy, feed knowledge capitalization and reinforce intelligence towards solutions for water security, in such a socio-hydrologically data-scarce and turbulent region. Insights into this corpus of retrospective water-related knowledge and management are further of interest for the wider Levant and Middle East, in line with Unsolved Problems in Hydrology (UPHs) 17 and 23.