The Legacy of Ghadames
Life in the ancient city of Ghadames
Today Libya is almost exclusively known for its infamous former dictator Muammar Gadaafi and a devastating civil war. Amidst the chaos one often forgets its 7000 year-long history of engineering and culture.
Ghadames, known as the 'pearl of the desert', is one of the oldest cities in the Sahara, and a UNESCO world heritage site. Its desert location means water is scarce. "There were arguments about water in here. That’s why the first men of the city invented a water distribution system”, a Ghadami resident explains. Beautiful cinematography captures the wonders of the early aqueducts, still admired by engineers today.
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