Dr. Javad Safinejad, one of Iran’s leading researchers on qanats and water structures, passed away on Tuesday, 2 Dey 1404 (23 December 2025) at the age of 96. He belonged to a golden generation of scholars who, despite limited resources, documented Iran’s indigenous knowledge, historical traditions, and cultural practices before they were lost.
His early research focused on Iran’s tribes, and in 1345 SH (1966), together with Nader Afshar Naderi, he established an independent department for tribal studies. Extensive fieldwork across rural Iran, with attention to agricultural and water management practices, gradually led him to focus on qanats. Recognizing that over two-thirds of Iran’s land is arid or semi-arid, he systematically recorded qanat construction and maintenance techniques, turning traditional knowledge into practical science and training a new generation of researchers and skilled practitioners.
Dr. Safinejad was also among the first to highlight the ecological impact of deep wells and groundwater overuse on desertification. Renowned for his humility and dedication to teaching, he encouraged local researchers to document regional practices, creating networks that today support the restoration and maintenance of qanats, particularly in Yazd, Kerman, and Sistan and Baluchestan.
A major legacy of his work, alongside other scholars, was the inscription of Iran’s qanats as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many local researchers, inspired by his guidance, have published significant works, including 90 Days with the Qanats by Nader Piri Ardakani, which features a foreword by Dr. Safinejad himself.
The late Dr. Javad Safinejad was a familiar and respected figure in my hometown of Ardakan. Even before compiling his seminal work Qanats and Kariz Systems in Iran, he knew the region well and consistently praised the qanats, skills, and local knowledge of the area’s water masters. Much of his research specifically highlighted Ardakan’s qanats, their unique features, and diverse restoration and maintenance techniques.
In 1399 SH (2020), during a scientific conference on qanats at Payame Noor University in Ardakan, I and a group of colleagues traveled to Tehran to formally invite him. Though over 90 years old, he welcomed us warmly. His research desk was filled with books, articles, and notes, reflecting a lifetime of dedication and comprehensive scholarship.
While his passing is a profound loss for Iran’s scientific community, it also reminds us that each generation brings its own approaches to research. The legacy of scholars like Dr. Safinejad continues through modern researchers, who can build upon his work using today’s tools and methodologies to preserve and advance Iran’s heritage.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his memory endure forever in the hearts of the people of Ardakan, especially among the qanat masters who carry forward his invaluable legacy.
