The Original Water Fountains of the Historical Past
The Original Water Fountains of the Historical Past Villages and communities depended on practical water fountains to channel water for preparing food, washing, and cleaning up from local sources like ponds, streams, or creeks. To generate water flow through a fountain until the end of the 1800’s, and generate a jet of water, required the force of gravity and a water source such as a creek or lake, situated higher than the fountain. Commonly used as memorials and commemorative structures, water fountains have impressed men and women from all over the world all through the ages.
The common fountains of today bear little similarity to the first water fountains. Designed for drinking water and ceremonial reasons, the 1st fountains were simple carved stone basins. The first stone basins are believed to be from about 2000 BC. The spray of water appearing from small jets was forced by gravity, the only power source designers had in those days. Positioned near aqueducts or creeks, the practical public water fountains provided the local citizens with fresh drinking water. Fountains with elaborate decoration began to show up in Rome in approx. 6 B.C., commonly gods and wildlife, made with natural stone or bronze. The remarkable aqueducts of Rome furnished water to the spectacular public fountains, many of which you can go see today.
Outdoor Fountains And Their Use In Ancient Minoa
Outdoor Fountains And Their Use In Ancient Minoa Various types of conduits have been unveiled through archaeological excavations on the island of Crete, the birthplace of Minoan civilization. These were made use of to provide cities with water as well as to minimize flooding and get rid of waste. They were commonly built from clay or stone. Terracotta was selected for channels and pipelines, both rectangular and spherical. These incorporated cone-like and U-shaped terracotta conduits which were unique to the Minoans. Knossos Palace had a sophisticated plumbing system made of terracotta conduits which ran up to three meters below ground.
These Minoan water lines were also used for amassing and storing water, not just circulation. Hence, these piping had to be ready to: Below ground Water Transportation: Initially this technique would seem to have been created not quite for ease but rather to supply water to certain individuals or rituals without it being seen. Quality Water Transportation: Some historians believe that these pipelines were employed to create a separate distribution technique for the palace.
Contemporary Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decor: Garden Fountains and their Beginnings The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complement your home.Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water supply, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often used by Romans to beautify their fountains. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled 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. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Contemporary fountains are used to adorn public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.