subject: The Historic Purpose of Fountains in Comparison With Modern Outdoor Wall Fountains [print this page] The Historic Purpose of Fountains in Comparison With Modern Outdoor Wall Fountains
Contemporary outdoor wall fountains are typically used for decoration rather than for any utilitarian purpose. However, the healing properties of water, whether through sight, sound, touch or taste, or through a combination of these senses, is well known to be beneficial to both human health and spirit. The harmonizing effects of flowing water helps to ease the stress of living in our often fast-paced, overworked lifestyles. Even though outdoor wall fountains have evolved into art pieces used to accent rooms and gardens, their history began primarily for the purpose of bringing in water for basic needs.
Ancient historians believe that water sources, such as wild springs and rivers, were often places of worship as they were considered sacred spaces where the gods lived. Water was revered, but was also an element that was absolutely necessary for survival, as it has always been. Stone basins dating back to 2000 BC have been found where water was collected for drinking and washing. Ancient Egyptians developed systems for hoisting water from rivers which they would use for irrigation and drinking purposes.
It wasn't until the ancient Greeks developed aqueducts that the first gravity-fed fountains were invented making the distribution of water far easier. This was the beginning of fountains as we know them today.
The ancient Romans not only built an extensive and sophisticated system of aqueducts which made water available to the one million residents of the city of Rome, they also eventually developed a siphoning system which created the first pressure-powered water distribution system. These methods helped all of Rome's citizens gain access to fresh drinking water that they were also able to use for bathing, washing and irrigation.
The pressure system that the ancient Romans created allowed royalty and the rich to feature intricate fountains in their gardens and bathhouses that included jets of water, which created a dramatic effect. This was the beginning of fountains used for aesthetic purposes, the primary use of fountains today.
Fountains of the past, although used by the wealthy for aesthetic purposes as well as for practical reasons, served the citizens of many cities that were able to implement such systems. In fact, such fountains helped in the survival and success of such cities. Today, a wide variety of outdoor wall fountains are used as dcor in many private courtyards and gardens around the world.
