Houses that have stood for ages, hiding eternal mysteries and secrets in their cracks and crevices. Those who poke around a building’s crevices and nooks sometimes uncover one of the most interesting hidden secrets: cisterns. These incredible remnants of the past are a reminder of the brilliance of our ancestors and a window into how people once controlled their water supply.
Before Plumbing: The Role of Hidden Cisterns
Before they developed modern plumbing systems, people gathered, stored, and distributed water using different methods. Hidden cisterns — or water cisterns — made up a crucial element of this infrastructure. Builders masterfully embedded date reservoirs beneath the floors of old houses. They constructed these reservoirs within walls or basements, keeping them out of sight.
Hidden cisterns were meant for a singular purpose, the storage of drinking water and a reliable source. These were normal construction practices placing these hidden cisterns outside the home. The cisterns would collect rainwater or water from a nearby spring that served for imbibing, cooking, bathing, and household chores. In areas with unpredictable rainfall, or little access to natural freshwater sources, cisterns were essential. They provided a both durable way to conserve water used and independence on external suppliers.
CONTINUE READING IN THE NEXT PAGE
