Plumbing as a system to transport water dates back over 4,000 years, with the earliest evidence found in ancient civilizations such as the Indus Valley (around 4000–3000 B.C.) and Egypt, where copper pipes were used. The Minoan civilization on Crete between 1500 and 1000 B.C. developed elaborate sewage disposal, drainage systems, and possibly the first flushing toilets. The Romans further advanced plumbing technology between 500 B.C. and 455 A.D. with long aqueducts, lead pipes, and extensive sewer systems. Modern indoor plumbing with flushing toilets began to take shape in the 16th to 18th centuries, with significant inventions by Sir John Harrington in 1596 and Alexander Cummings in 1775, who added the S-trap to prevent sewer gases from entering buildings.
In summary, plumbing was invented in stages:
- Early water pipes: circa 4000–3000 B.C. (Indus Valley and Egypt).
- Elaborate sewage and flushing toilets: 1500–1000 B.C. (Minoan Crete).
- Roman aqueducts and extensive plumbing systems: 500 B.C.–455 A.D.
- Modern flushing toilets and indoor plumbing innovations: 16th–18th centuries A.D..