If you can safely
determine the number of chambers in the cistern, place the total in this
space.Given the importance of water in any food system it is not surprising that cisterns are one of the more important, and ubiquitous features in the survey region. Unfortunately most cisterns are nearly impossible to record accurately. It is especially difficult to determine the dimensions of the inner chambers. While seeking to gather this data, be especially careful that you do not fall into the cistern.
If you can safely
determine the number of chambers in the cistern, place the total in this
space.
The material should
always be limestone, but if by chance there is some other material, describe
it in the blank following "Other."
In this section, mark
the entry "Unfaced" if the cistern wall shows no signs of an exterior
or interior lining. If there any signs of plaster, check the space next
to "Plaster." If mud, check the space next to "Mud."
Very rarely you may find traces of paint on plastered walls. If the paint
is in the form of a design, make sure the architect draws it, and whether
or not there is a design, be sure to enter the Munsell color.
In this section describe
the floor plan of the cistern. If the cistern is basically "Rectilinear,"
mark the third space. If round, mark "Circular." An "Oval"
cistern can be elliptical or egg-shaped, as well as oval. An "Apsidal"
cistern has three linear walls connected in a "U" shape and one
semi circular wall which forms an apse at the open end of the "U."
"Irregular" indicates amorphous shapes which cannot be grouped.
When there are no qualifiers, an "a" is placed in the entry blank
and you imply that the feature's plan is very close to the ideal. Most cisterns
will be circular, square, or irregular.
On cistern walls, look
for signs of "Tooling." If there are tool marks, enter the width
of the tool mark in cm and a range of lengths. Make a quick sketch of tool
marks, checking the space labeled "Sketch" and file it with the
Feature Sheet. Make sure photos are taken of all types of stone cutting
in each feature, then check the "Photo" entry.
The nature of cisterns
in the survey region often prevents entry by the recorder. In these cases
accurate measurement will be impossible. If you were able to enter the cistern,
check the space following the label "Meas[ured]." If you were
unable to enter sufficiently for measurement but sufficiently to make dimensional
estimates, check the space following the label "Est[imated]."
Most cisterns will have debris covering their floors. If possible, estimate
the "Depth of Debris." The contents of this debris may help determine
what a cistern has been used for. If it was impossible to even estimate
any or all pertinent dimensions, leave these spaces blank. In the space
following "Remarks," be sure to include the reason why you were
unable to make accurate measurements of the feature.
This portion of the
description section deals with the shape of the principal opening that gives
access to the cistern. Note both the shape and the dimensions of the opening
in the appropriate spaces.
Cisterns usually have
secondary openings which are used for the collection of runoff water. Much
smaller than the primary opening to the cistern, these can be difficult
to locate. If you are able to locate this opening, fill in the appropriate
blanks and in the remarks section describe this opening's spatial relationship
to the main cistern opening.
The material on the
floor of a cistern is usually the best indication of its present function.
Generally a mix, determine the relative percentages of these materials on
the surface of the cistern's floor and mark the appropriate spaces.
Place an "X"
in the appropriate blank. If you are unable to enter a cistern to determine
the degree of preservation, place an "X" next to the label "U.D."
and explain this on the "Remarks" line.
Many cisterns have
their openings blocked by a "Capstone." These are composed of
various types of materials; we have encountered everything from concrete
plugs to the hoods of automobiles. When recording a cistern, place an "X"
in the appropriate space.
Cisterns usually enjoy a long
period of use, and although the advent of deep well technology in the survey
region has changed water procurement strategies, many are still in use today.
If this is the case, check the space beside "Presently In Use."
If the cistern appears usable but is not being used, check the space beside
"Presently Out of Use." If the Cistern has "Collapsed,"
mark the appropriate space. Cisterns are sometimes reused, often as herding
pens, after their collapse. If this is the case, place an "X"
in the appropriate space and describe its new use.
The "Remarks" section belongs to the overall description of the feature. You may want to record subtleties which are not included in the specific entries above. If so, please give a thoughtful, concise, and specific description.
