Utilizing experimental Quantum Ground-Penetrating Radar (Quantum-GPR), a team of Greek and British researchers has discovered a hidden network of subterranean sluice gates and stone-lined reservoirs deep beneath the Palace of Minos at Knossos. The system, which dates back to the late Minoan period, appears to have been a sophisticated flood-control mechanism designed to divert sudden torrents from the Kairatos River away from the palace foundations.
The precision of the new technology allowed archaeologists to map the system without excavation, revealing advanced hydraulic engineering that remained functional for centuries. This find provides crucial insights into how the Minoans managed the volatile Mediterranean climate and protected their monumental architecture from seismic and seasonal water damage. Plans are now being developed to integrate these ancient drainage routes into modern site-preservation strategies to combat rising groundwater levels.