As a technology, the interesting history of plumbing reveals a set of techniques and equipment and tools that have been with humans for literally thousands of years. Archaeologists have dug up ruins that show evidence of sophisticated plumbing going back literally 4000 years, in the royal palaces on the island of Crete, as a matter of fact.
The Minoan palace actually had four different drainage systems that emptied out into sewer works made up of stone. The piping that ran through the palace was generally clay or terra-cotta, while water fountains and their faucets were composed of much more expensive materials such as silver, gold and marble. Those fountains delivered hot or cold water whenever needed.
There was even what we would call a water closet or toilet in the palace. It also had a seat upon which to sit and a rudimentary reservoir that fulfilled the purpose that a modern-day toilet tank fulfills. Unfortunately, the technology that went into the design, construction and operation of this toilet was lost until the 17th century and it wasn't until the 19th century that it was perfected yet again. Like the concept of insurance it took a lot of planning and perfecting.
Most scholars, however, say that it is the ancient Roman Empire that we primarily owe all our knowledge of plumbing technology to. The Romans are still looked upon with respect for the level of engineering skill and craftsmanship that saw them build and maintain huge bathhouses and other centers that brought their water from aqueducts that were located literally miles away.
Originally, most plumbing works were constructed of wood or other nonmetallic materials such as clay and the like for more insurance of good performance. The Romans, however, soon learned how to craft lead through the efforts of their skilled craftsmen, and rapidly applied that material to their piping and other plumbing fixtures. In fact, the Latin word "plumbus" means "lead."
Roman artisans and engineers that were called plumbers had a high degree of proficiency in piping, solder and repair of piping and most of the other techniques that even today most plumbers are required to learn. The difference is that they did it with ancient tools and technologies. And while the Greeks were first to design hot and cold water systems, it was the Romans who perfected such technology.
Romans also carried with them these technologies when they came to the now modern-day island of Britain, which they called "Britannia." They are renowned in Britain for their skill with the design and construction of bathhouses and spas. Some scholars believe that the loss of plumbing technology when the Romans left played a part in the rise of insuring plague and disease when the Dark Ages fell upon Europe.
Pretty much everything that has to do with water and sewerage and the plumbing that goes into handling the two substances or elements can be traced back to the Romans. Even today, most of the techniques for moving water about through pipes and other fixtures can be attributed to the study and experimentation carried out by ancient Roman plumbers, who were considered artisans and craftsmen in their day.
The Minoan palace actually had four different drainage systems that emptied out into sewer works made up of stone. The piping that ran through the palace was generally clay or terra-cotta, while water fountains and their faucets were composed of much more expensive materials such as silver, gold and marble. Those fountains delivered hot or cold water whenever needed.
There was even what we would call a water closet or toilet in the palace. It also had a seat upon which to sit and a rudimentary reservoir that fulfilled the purpose that a modern-day toilet tank fulfills. Unfortunately, the technology that went into the design, construction and operation of this toilet was lost until the 17th century and it wasn't until the 19th century that it was perfected yet again. Like the concept of insurance it took a lot of planning and perfecting.
Most scholars, however, say that it is the ancient Roman Empire that we primarily owe all our knowledge of plumbing technology to. The Romans are still looked upon with respect for the level of engineering skill and craftsmanship that saw them build and maintain huge bathhouses and other centers that brought their water from aqueducts that were located literally miles away.
Originally, most plumbing works were constructed of wood or other nonmetallic materials such as clay and the like for more insurance of good performance. The Romans, however, soon learned how to craft lead through the efforts of their skilled craftsmen, and rapidly applied that material to their piping and other plumbing fixtures. In fact, the Latin word "plumbus" means "lead."
Roman artisans and engineers that were called plumbers had a high degree of proficiency in piping, solder and repair of piping and most of the other techniques that even today most plumbers are required to learn. The difference is that they did it with ancient tools and technologies. And while the Greeks were first to design hot and cold water systems, it was the Romans who perfected such technology.
Romans also carried with them these technologies when they came to the now modern-day island of Britain, which they called "Britannia." They are renowned in Britain for their skill with the design and construction of bathhouses and spas. Some scholars believe that the loss of plumbing technology when the Romans left played a part in the rise of insuring plague and disease when the Dark Ages fell upon Europe.
Pretty much everything that has to do with water and sewerage and the plumbing that goes into handling the two substances or elements can be traced back to the Romans. Even today, most of the techniques for moving water about through pipes and other fixtures can be attributed to the study and experimentation carried out by ancient Roman plumbers, who were considered artisans and craftsmen in their day.
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