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HISTORY OF WELL CONSTRUCTION
& RELATED MATTERS
The watering place has always been the focal point of
life on earth. First animals and then humankind
clustered around their source of fresh water. Both
animals and humans can exist for weeks without food,
but without water life ceases within days. Wells were one
of humans’ earliest construction activities.
The earliest wells are known from the Neolithic era.
Neolithic refers to the time period roughly 7,000-10,000
BC. Well construction seems to date from the time of
the adoption of a series of behaviors common to the
people of a given region. These behaviors include the
widespread use of farming, the keeping of domestic
animals, and the use of metal (copper) tools. By the time
of the progression in development from the use of
copper tools, to bronze tools to the widespread use of
iron tools (Iron Age-1000-2000 BC) wells were commonly
constructed.
The oldest know well has been found in the
archaeological excavation of the settlement of Atlit Yam
in Israel, dated to 8100-7500 BC.
Wood-lined wells are known from the early Neolithic, for
example in Germany and Austria. From the Iron Age
onwards, wells are common archaeological features,
both with wooden shafts and shaft-linings made from
wickerwork.
HISTORY
OF
WELL
CONSTRUCTION
AND
RELATED
MATTERS
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