Underlying similarities and patterns emerge by documenting and illustrating water landscape elements, water works, and water stories, situated across different cultures and periods. The Glossary of Traditional Water Systems articulates the concept of water in relation to the landscape through visual and textual representations, addressing its formal characteristics and cultural and social significance.
Certain elements may appear in multiple categories depending on their material composition or contextual use. For example, a bund (also referred to as a dam), an element which separates two water bodies, is classified as a water landscape element when constructed from earth, but as a water work when built from stone.
A standardized protocol guides the representation and analysis of each glossary element, ensuring the inclusion of key information such as project name, climate, year, water type, landscape type, altitude, soil condition, materials, temporality, form, usage or function, and cultural or symbolic meaning.
The glossary is organized alphabetically, and more information will be revealed by clicking on the element.