In the Middle East men roughly cured the hides of their beasts and stitched them into water-vessels. Skins were used for water carrying prior to jars of pottery, as can be seen from the leather shapes and seams which are still imitated on the pottery. The water carrier of old Palestine was very similar to the figure of the bhistee in India. Before plumbing systems made water on tap a familiar service in many parts of the world, the water carrier was one of the most important people in a community. |
