Reverse Engineering for the Chronology of Medieval Aqueducts: A Case Study of the Holy Monastery of Dochiariou, Mount Athos

Although extensive information exists on the chronological evolution of the fortified monastic complexes on Mount Athos, data regarding the construction dates of their hydraulic infrastructure remain comparatively limited. Since water constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for sustained settlement and construction, the development of a monastery presupposes access to reliable and sufficient natural resources essential for its establishment and long-term survival. This study applies a quantitative reverse-engineering approach to estimate the water demands associated with the construction of Dochiariou Monastery's principal fortified elements, namely the katholikon, the tower , and the perimeter walls. By approximating the number of monks, draught animals , and construction workforce, as well as the volumes of building materials (brick, stone , and lime mortar), we quantify minimum water requirements for mortar production, brick making, human and animal consumption, and material transport along the steep kalderimi (stone-paved path) from the Αrsanas (dock). Order-of-magnitude calculations indicate that the annual water yield of local springs  provides only a marginal surplus, insufficient to sustain intensive, multi-year construction phases in the absence of engineered storage or supplementary water sources. The central aqueduct—terminating directly into the tower—exhibits a high potential discharge capacity and a strategically integrated layout, suggesting that it may have predated the major building campaigns. This analysis indicates that the aqueduct and associated hydraulic works were likely among the earliest infrastructural interventions, enabling subsequent expansion in an isolated, topographically constrained environment. The findings demonstrate the value of reverse engineering as a methodological tool for inferring the relative chronology and functional role of medieval hydraulic systems, particularly where direct archaeological or archival evidence is scarce. These insights further underscore adaptive water-management strategies that underpin long-term settlement resilience in resource-limited environments.