From Sacred Springs to Polluted Pipes
“From ancient wells to TikTok trends—water has always been essential. But have we actually improved how we manage it, or did early civilizations know something we don’t?”
Introduction
This project explores how prehistoric humans and indigenous societies around the world used and maintained water sources compared to modern societies, with a focus on the impact of pollution, water management practices, and the evolution of laws and policies. By examining historical water use, analyzing pollution levels, and conducting hands-on experiments, we will compare the purity of ancient water sources to today’s contaminated systems.
Through water quality testing, filtration experiments, and ecosystem impact studies, this project will highlight the consequences of industrial pollution and investigate how past conservation methods might offer solutions for the future. Additionally, we will examine how water-related laws and policies have evolved, from early communal water rights and indigenous stewardship practices to modern regulatory frameworks like the Clean Water Act. By comparing past and present approaches, we will assess whether ancient water conservation techniques can help address today’s environmental challenges.