Not hard to imagine in ancient times drought and famine were a huge problem due to climate. In India, around 650 AD stepwells were constructed as a source of clean water. Today, they have been replaced by more modern well systems.
Built not only for water, these also served as gathering places and temples. Even cool hiding places from the oppressive heat. Some could be just a spiraling staircase or a maze of stairs down to a pool of water. For the earliest stepwells, these were just simple construction but over time the architecture had become more elaborate, some reaching down nine stories.
Today the stepwells are overgrown with vegetation or used as trash dumps. But some have been well preserved and are sightseeing attractions.
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