The
history of the Klepsydra spring at the foot of the cliff, at the northwest angle
of the Akropolis begins, in Neolithic times. The Klepsydra appears to have kept
its original form until the middle of the 1st century A.C. although the danger
of the cliff collapsing necessitated shoring up the roof of the cave with three
wooden braces. In spite of these precautions, the cliff evidently collapsed
causing large masses of stone to brake away and to block up the entrance to
the springhouse. It was in this state that Pausanias saw the Klepsydra that
he mentions, immediately after leaving the Acropolis and combined the image
with the specific function: the Klepsydra was used as a cistern to collect rainwater
pouring off the Acropolis slopes. The water that was flowing down the hill entered
through the hole, located in the middle of the cave, and was collected in the
receptacle. The cistern served as a deposit from where one could draw up the
desired quantities. This procedure is about a free inflow and a selective outflow.
Conceive
Understand
Design
Klepsydra
