The ancient Minoans of Crete innovated flush toilets nearly 4000 years ago. They built the palace at Knossos with advanced plumbing featuring wooden seats over drainage systems that used water to carry waste away. Separate systems for wastewater and rainwater were engineered to prevent contamination. Terracotta pipes distributed water from springs, powering fountains, baths, and flushing toilets. After the decline of Minoan civilization, such plumbing technology largely disappeared until its rev