The main problem facing travellers is the lack of water in most parts of the route.
And to ensure that camels carried water tanks that took up useful space and reduced the amount of cargo, ingenious designers of ancient times was built in the middle of scorching Sands wells. They were called "Sardoba", and they always had water.
The great silk road linking China and Central Asia to the Mediterranean countries for many centuries played a major role in the processes of commercial and cultural exchange between these regions. Born in the II century BC as a trade route between China and Fergana valley, and he later acquired the status of a major transportation artery between East and West, and existed until the middle Ages.
A significant part of the Great silk road ran through the deserted territories of Asia. For transportation of valuable goods merchants used camels, which could not have been better adapted for movement on burning Sands.
The main problem facing travellers is the lack of water in most parts of the route. And to ensure that camels carried water tanks that took up useful space and reduced the amount of cargo, ingenious designers of ancient times was built in the middle of scorching Sands wells. They were called "Sardoba", and they always had water. Such wells can be found today in some cities of Central Asia.
Unique engineering structures were located every 12-15 miles and could feed a caravan of camels 150-200. The water accumulated in these wells due to the presence of underground water sources, and with the help of the original design, able to receive water from atmospheric air.
It seems incredible, but the ancient engineers used a vortex effect in the construction of wells. The design of the outside resembled a small tent made of stone, and had several holes. More than half of the well was sunk into the ground and to reach water we had to walk down the stairs. Thanks to the special design of the roof and lateral openings through the well constantly circulate the desert air, the volume of which, according to experts, up to several thousand cubic meters per day.
Even in the hot desert air contains water vapor. On this knowledge and is based on the idea of the ingenious structure. Once inside the well, where, according to the memoirs of travelers-Arabs, always was cool, the hot air cooled and gave were in the water in the form of drops. Cool and clear water flowed over the stone mound in a special recess on the bottom of the well, where it took the people to drink and water the camels.
Unfortunately, the exact record of who were these ancient builders did not survive. But researchers believe that it was Chinese engineers. After all, the Great silk road played a crucial role in China's economy and the country's leadership made many efforts for its prosperity.
