Wells and Fountains in Early China

In the later part of the 19th century houses in China’s principal metropolitan areas began getting their water from indoor plumbing. To fulfill their daily water requirements, the Chinese turn to two principle sources, water wells and streams. Even nowadays water wells perform an essential part in China’s water supply. Using a pairing of ditches and sealed wells, they are in a position to redirect water from springs into residential neighborhoods. Wells have been utilized in China for at least 6,000 years, as proven by ruins discovered in 1974 at He Mu Du in Zhejiang Province. This classic water well was designed from wood. Following that preliminary finding, other wells of comparable age were click springs uncovered throughout China. The origins of Chinese civilization emerged all those years ago in the fecund valleys of the Yellow River and Yangtze River. Water wells then helped the settlements scatter even more, no longer reliant on the rivers for water. Those early water wells would also expand into something better over the years. Those early water wells, which date back to approximately 3000 BC, had square structures made from timber. Earthenware water wells became popular during the Warring States period of 475 to 221 BC. One such well, located in Yeng County, is an model from the initial Han Dynasty. In fact, these exact same ruins had near 40 water wells, all about 1.3 meters in width and 5 to 7 meters deep.