The ancient Greek civilisation of Crete, known as the Minoan civilisation, were the first to use underground clay pipes for sanitation and water supply. Their capital, Knossos, had a well-organized water system for bringing in clean water, taking out waste water and storm sewage canals for overflow when there was heavy rain. It was also one of the first uses of a flush toilet, dating back to the 18th century BC.
The Minoans also had stone sewers that were periodically flushed with clean water.
In addition to sophisticated water and sewer systems they devised elaborate heating systems. The Ancient Greeks of Athens and Asia minor also used an indoor plumbing system, used for pressurized showers.
The Minoans had stone sewers that were periodically flushed with clean water. In addition to sophisticated water and sewer systems they devised elaborate heating systems. The Ancient Greeks of Athens and Asia minor also used an indoor plumbing system, used for pressurized showers.
Aqueduct of terracotta pipes in Knossos
The pipes varied in size, but their construction looked similar to and “were of quality similar to modern standards”
Terracotta pipes were used for a variety of purposes. They could convey either storm water collected from roofs, waste water, or fresh water from nearby springs and aqueducts.
Some of these drains are still in working condition, after about four thousand years. The 19th century Italian physiologist Angelo Mosso wrote about a visit to Agia Triada:
One day, after a heavy downpour of rain, I was interested to find that all the drains acted perfectly, and I saw the water flow from the sewers through which a man could walk upright. I doubt if there is any other instance of a drainage system acting after 4000 years.
A drain in Pella, an ancient city in Macedonia (Northern Greece) that was home to Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. Approximately 350 BC.
