The Early Society: Fountains
The Early Society: Fountains During archaeological digs on the island of Crete, many sorts of conduits have been found. In conjunction with offering water, they distributed water that amassed from storms or waste material.
Modern Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Roots

The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water source, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the artist. Roman fountains usually depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were supposed to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains built to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. The creation of special water effects and the recycling of water were 2 things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.