History of swimming pools
The pool or swimming pool have been a popular feature for several millennia even though its popularity level has been far from constant.
Polls can be built both below and above ground and must be kept clean to prevent dangerous microorganisms from cause problems. You will also need to perform algae prevention and insect control, due to the fact that algae are unsightly and insects like moquitos can spread dangerous diseases.
One common way to keep the pool clean and safe is to use chemicals such as bromine and chlorine, another method is the use of biological filters. During recent decades, there has also been a trend towards so called natural swimming pools or ponds (NSP), where no chemicals or devices are used to disinfect or sterilize the water. Clarifying and cleaning is instead achieved purely with through biological filters and plants, just as in a lake.
A natural swimming pool contain is usually divided into two areas
- One part is the part used for swimming and frolicing around.
- One regeneration zone where the biological process that keeps the water sanitary takes places. Natural swimming pools are often contructed with a regeneration zone that works like a lined overflow pool filled with filtration substrate. Sand, lava stone and gravel are all common substrates. It is also common to include plants in the regeneration zone, since they help keep the water sanitary and also forms an appealing water garden.
The Great Bath of Moenjo-daro is one of the first swimming pools ever mentioned in text. Moenjo-daro was located in modern day Pakistan and was one of leading cities in the Indus Valley Civilization. It was most likely constructed during the 3rd millennium BC and was 12 meters long and 7 meters wide. The walls were lined with bricks and covered in a tar-based sealant to keep the water in.
In the 4th century BC, two pools know as Kuttam Pokuna were contructed by the great Sinhalese in the kingdom of Anuradhapura. These pools were made from granite slabs and steps were placed on both ends of the pools. Embankments were also constructed to give the monks easy access to the water. The water was filtered before it entered the ponds and was brought to Kuttam Pokuna through underground ducts and channels.
Among the most famous pool builders in ancient times we find the European civilizations of Greece and Rome. They all used swimming pool for everything from fun and games to military training. The Latin word for pool, piscina, can be traced back to the fact that roman emperors used to keep fish in their pools (pisces).
The first heated swimming pool was built in room in the first century BC by lord Gaius Maecenas. Lord Gaius Maecenas was the advisor to Rome’s first emperor and the word mecenat can be derived from him.
I never though that the swimming pool started from moenjo-daro.