Remarkable Ancient Windcatchers: Air Conditioning Systems Built Since Antiquity
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Windcatchers are very old wind towers can be still found across the Middle East. The structures were created by ancient engineers to create natural ventilation in buildings.
Windcatchers have various designs, such as the uni-directional, bi-directional, and multi-directional. The original windcatchers in Iran, however, are normally multi-directional with two to eight openings at the top to catch the breeze from any direction.

The windcatcher of Dowlatabad in Yazd, Iran—one of the tallest existing windcatchers. Image credit: Fabienkhan
As we have previously wrote in one of our articles, ancient Persian engineers mastered the technique of storing ice in the middle of summer in the desert. In order to accomplish this, they constructed ancient structures, called yakhchals that should not be confused with pyramids or ziggurats.
The yakhchals are in fact ancient “refrigerators” used to store ice and other food items.
The ancient engineers of the Middle East were highly skilled and also built windcatchers that we can still admire today. The ancient windcatchers appear throughout the Middle East.

Image Credit Flickr User Dynamosquito
We find them in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan and they have all traditional Persian-influenced architecture. The windcatchers are also known in traditional Egyptian architecture in Ancient Egypt as demonstrated in Windcatchers on the Pharonic house of Neb- Ammun, Egypt, 19th Dynasty, c.1300 BC, British Museum.
It was revived in Neoislamic architecture as the works of Hassan Fathy. In Egypt the windcatchers are known as "Malqaf".
See also:
10 Remarkable Advanced Ancient Technologies Ahead Of Their Times
Proof Of Superior Ancient Technology – Found In All Four Corners Of The World
Yakhchals: Ingenious Ancient ‘Refrigerators’ Could Store Ice In The Hot Desert
More Advanced Ancient Technology
The reason for constructing these ancient wind towers is related to the climate in the region. Towns centered on desert oases tend to be packed very closely together with high walls and ceilings, maximizing shade at ground level. The heat of direct sunlight is minimized with small windows that face away from the sun.
Serving as ventilation systems they have given the people of the Middle East air conditioning for thousands of years.

Image Credit Flickr User Ninara
They function in one of three ways. Some direct the airflow downwards and use direct wind entry. Others direct airflow up either using a temperature gradient assisted either by the sun or the wind.
Despite their very old origin, windcatchers may even provide a solution for some very modern architectural problems.
The ancient windcatcher approach has been utilized in Western architecture, such as in the visitor center at Zion National Park, Utah, where it functions without the addition of mechanical devices in order to regulate temperature.

Image Credit Flickr User Pilar Torres
The construction design of windcatchers vary much but they all perform a similar key function: channeling prevailing winds trapped in vents above the roofs of buildings down to cool and ventilate the rooms located below.
They have been built since antiquity but their ingenious design can still contribute with ideas, necessary in our modern society.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
More From Ancient Pages
-
Mystery Of Gilmerton Cove: Underground Maze Of Caves, Passages And Tunnels
Featured Stories | Dec 22, 2015 -
A Rare Pre-Roman Tomb Unearthed In Pompeii
Ancient Places | Sep 22, 2015 -
Were Viking Swords As Effective As They Were Impressive?
Ancient History Facts | May 9, 2018 -
Secrets Of The Cathars – Mysterious Manuscript Of Jesus And His Pre-Flood Language
Civilizations | Jan 18, 2019 -
America’s Mysterious Waffle Rock Formation
Featured Stories | Apr 15, 2014 -
Pharaoh Hor Aha – 1st Dynasty Ruler Of Ancient Egypt Who Founded The City Of Memphis And May Have Been The Legendary Menes
Featured Stories | Jun 23, 2018 -
On This Day In History: Mathematician And Astronomer Christiaan Huygens Born – On Apr 14, 1629
News | Apr 14, 2017 -
Why Was The Face Of Mysterious Ust-Taseyevsky Stone Idol Suddenly Changed?
Ancient Places | Jan 18, 2021 -
Extremely Brutal Conflicts Among Maya Broke Out Before Civilization’s Decline
Archaeology | Aug 8, 2019 -
Napoleonic Code: Why Was One Of The Most Influential Civil Codes Flawed?
Ancient History Facts | May 16, 2020 -
On This Day In History: John Dee, English Mathematician, Occultist, Astrologer, Astronomer Was Born – On July 13, 1527
News | Jul 13, 2016 -
Previously Uncounted Copies Of Newton’s Groundbreaking ‘Principia’ – Discovered
News | Nov 11, 2020 -
Alexander The Great Was Crowned Pharaoh And Declared Son Of God Amun
Ancient History Facts | Jan 4, 2019 -
Queen Dido Of Carthage: Founder Of Prosperous City On Africa’s Northern Coast
Featured Stories | May 21, 2020 -
On This Day In History: Cyrus The Great And His Army Took Babylon – On Oct 12, 539 BC
News | Oct 12, 2016 -
Unknown 500,000-Year-Old Migration Route Of Homo Erectus From Africa – Discovered
Archaeology | May 10, 2019 -
Pyramid Texts Of Ancient Egypt That Charted Journey Of Pharaohs Into Afterlife
Featured Stories | Feb 26, 2020 -
Knights Templar – Among The Most Wealthy And Powerful Of The Western Christian Military Orders
Featured Stories | Jun 11, 2020 -
Oldest Writing System Among Slavs To Be Germanic Runes – New Study
News | Feb 15, 2021 -
New Discoveries In the Valley Of The Monkeys In Luxor, Egypt
Archaeology | Oct 11, 2019