Plumbing and its history through the Millennia reveals a fascinating glimpse into a set of technologies that were employed as early as 4000 years ago. In certain digs on the island of Crete, archaeologists examining the Minoan king's palace have found sophisticated plumbing technologies that would be impressive even today.
That palace (which was the home of the Minoan king) had at least four drainage systems that ran down into ancient sewers made up of stone works. Materials back then consisted of things like terra cotta piping that supplied water for fountains and faucets, which were quite often made of gold, silver and marble. These faucets delivered hot and cold running water on command.
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.
It was the Roman Empire, however, that most scholars agree took the art and science of plumbing to heights unheard of at the time. Actually, the Romans are still regarded as being near the top of the list when it comes to the skill and craftsmanship that they applied to constructing bathhouses and homes and buildings that used water piped in from aqueducts many miles away.
At that time, most plumbing was constructed of clay or wooden materials. At some point, the Romans gained great skill in the shaping and manufacture of lead and quickly put it to work in their plumbing. An interesting historical fact is that the ancient Latin word for lead is "plumbus." From that word, one can readily see where the modern-day word "plumber" comes from.
Like today's plumbing tradesman, ancient Roman plumbers were also considered artisans and craftsmen, and they were highly proficient in laying pipe, soldering and repairing it and using a range of technologies that apprentice plumbers today are still required to learn. What set them apart, however, was that they did it all with ancient tools. And while it was the Greeks who first designed and used hot and cold water systems, the Romans perfected the techniques.
These same techniques were brought to what is now modern-day Britain -- which was called "Britannia" by the Romans -- around 46 A. D. Romans are appreciated in modern-day Britain for their skill with plumbing and how they applied it to spas and bathhouses. In fact, many scholars think that the loss of these technologies helped to create the conditions for plague and disease during the Dark Ages.
There is evidence everywhere one looks today when examining plumbing of the hand that the Romans had in creating this most wondrous of crafts and trades. Many modern-day plumbers are still being taught and are using the techniques that were first discovered in utilized by ancient Roman plumbers. These first plumbers were and are still considered pioneers in the field of plumbing. - 30517
That palace (which was the home of the Minoan king) had at least four drainage systems that ran down into ancient sewers made up of stone works. Materials back then consisted of things like terra cotta piping that supplied water for fountains and faucets, which were quite often made of gold, silver and marble. These faucets delivered hot and cold running water on command.
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.
It was the Roman Empire, however, that most scholars agree took the art and science of plumbing to heights unheard of at the time. Actually, the Romans are still regarded as being near the top of the list when it comes to the skill and craftsmanship that they applied to constructing bathhouses and homes and buildings that used water piped in from aqueducts many miles away.
At that time, most plumbing was constructed of clay or wooden materials. At some point, the Romans gained great skill in the shaping and manufacture of lead and quickly put it to work in their plumbing. An interesting historical fact is that the ancient Latin word for lead is "plumbus." From that word, one can readily see where the modern-day word "plumber" comes from.
Like today's plumbing tradesman, ancient Roman plumbers were also considered artisans and craftsmen, and they were highly proficient in laying pipe, soldering and repairing it and using a range of technologies that apprentice plumbers today are still required to learn. What set them apart, however, was that they did it all with ancient tools. And while it was the Greeks who first designed and used hot and cold water systems, the Romans perfected the techniques.
These same techniques were brought to what is now modern-day Britain -- which was called "Britannia" by the Romans -- around 46 A. D. Romans are appreciated in modern-day Britain for their skill with plumbing and how they applied it to spas and bathhouses. In fact, many scholars think that the loss of these technologies helped to create the conditions for plague and disease during the Dark Ages.
There is evidence everywhere one looks today when examining plumbing of the hand that the Romans had in creating this most wondrous of crafts and trades. Many modern-day plumbers are still being taught and are using the techniques that were first discovered in utilized by ancient Roman plumbers. These first plumbers were and are still considered pioneers in the field of plumbing. - 30517
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