ABSTRACT
Pipeline engineering dates from prehistory. The ganats of ancient Persia were underground tunnels bored back under the mountains to collect fresh water for the cities on the plains. The catacombs of Egypt were remarkable underground conduits. Medieval Paris and London had brick-lined sewers. The subway tunnels of Saint Louis, long since abandoned, are rediscovered as engineers study light rail systems. The technology of buried pipes of the past arose from experience — including failures.
