Nilometer - Cairo
Nilometer is located on the island of Rhoda in central Cairo, in Arabic it is known as al-Miqyas. This device was used to measure the levels of the Nile River. Nilometer has existed in the Cairo area since the Pharaonic Period but current structure was designed by Abu’l Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Kathir al-Farghani.
Interior of this structure is adorned with Islamic calligraphy and motifs. Inside the Nilometer, there is a rectangular walkway. One end of this walkway gives access to the lower end of the pit.
How it Worked
In order to measure the waters of Nile, a part of the Nilometer would hold the Nile water so it can be measured – If the water level was too low, there would be famine. If it was too high, it would be flood. Three tunnels inside the Nilometer were connected with the Nile and they would bring water inside a pit. To measure the water level, the column is graded and divided into 19 cubits. The tunnels are now blocked off from the Nile River because the Nilometer is no longer functional.
Sandstorms and air pollution are two major enemies of any structure in Cairo and Nilometer was receiving a fare share of it.
