Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Romans build aquaducts several (thousand) years before this?
Also check out some of the British Canal systems. There was some incredible engineering going on there. Look up the Anderton Boat lift...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderton_Boat_Lift
...built in 1875. Or try the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontcysyllte_Aqueduct
... a Thomas Telford creation opened in 1805. Not impressed yet, try the Standedge Tunnel opened in 1811...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standedge_Tunnels
..."the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. It is 5,500 yards (5029 m) long, 638 feet (194 m) underground at the deepest point and 645 feet (197 m) above sea level"
Just think of the technology that was available at that time and what these guys built. These are truely engineering masterpieces, in my opinion. If you're not familair with the British canals here is a little history lesson...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_British_canal_system