The Aden Tanks - this architectural wonder from 2000 years ago-is located in a rocky gorge beneath the top of an extinct volcano, where Aden's harbor is located. They are massive gypsum-plastered caverns that have been carved out of rock. They were discovered in 1854 by Lieutenant Playfair, an assistant diplomatic representative in Yemen. He was the man who arranged the cleaning of this mystery site, arranging the funding with the British government. Today, the lower circular reservoir bears his name.

The series of descending, leak-proof reservoirs are connected by canals and accessed by steep steps. The surviving 18 reservoirs, with a capacity of 42 million liters, are recognized as a marvel of engineering. There were originally 53 tanks.

The reservoirs are believed to have been made in the 1st century by the Khimarites, a powerful Semitic tribe whose livelihoods included farming, fishing and trading in tree sap. So thanks to these reservoirs, the people were able to irrigate their crops despite the rare rainfall. Maintained and used for generations, the reservoirs were abandoned and despite the great efforts of 19th century engineers who cleaned them, they were never used again.

It is interesting for the tourist to visit this wonder of the human mind and hands.

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Rating 5 from 1 voted Aden Tanks, Yemen