The use of historical sources in a multi-layered methodology for karez research in Turpan, China.

In this article, we will present an overview of possible research methods to handle historical sources, in the specific case of karez landscapes. A karez system is an underground water collection system, prevalent in the Turpan basin of China. Sources and the associated methodology have become more important today, because of contemporary issues such as modernisation, urbanisation and agricultural expansion.