It recommended using geometric lines of latitude and longitude to convey a three-dimensional Earth on a two-dimensional surface, and it included the co-ordinates of over 8, 000 locations in the ancient world.

ECONOMIST: There is no such thing as an objective map

Rafferty all but disappeared by the mid 1980s, although he did surface to co-produce the Proclaimers hit, Letter From America.

BBC: Obituary: Gerry Rafferty

But the actual streams themselves may have persisted on the surface for long periods, said Curiosity science co-investigator Bill Dietrich of the University of California, Berkeley.

BBC: Curiosity Mars rover beams images of ancient streambed

Jordan is moving towards increased reliance on groundwater as an alternative to surface water and according to the 4th United Nations World Water Development Report 2012 co-authored by UNESCO, it is the fourth most water scarce country in the world.

UNESCO: OFFICE IN AMMAN