Clue to the CoS?

[grey_wolf_c]

No: HPFGUIDX 43644

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "smellee17" <smellee17 at h...> wrote:
> I have been following the discussions about how Voldemort found out 
> he was the Heir of Slytherin. I read a post mentioning Voldemort 
> probably found the bathroom tap with the snake etched into the metal, 
> and I had a thought. If Voldemort found the tap, that meant Salazar 
> Slytherin must have made the mark when the school was founded about 
> thousand years ago. I hadn't noticed that detail before, but now it 
> is bothering me.  They couldn't have had running water, pipes, and 
> toilets back then, could they? I think Voldemort had made the snake 
> as a clue to those who would come after him. Voldemort says he knew 
> he couldn't reopen the chamber without suspicion, so I assumed he  
> was leaving clues. Any thoughts? 
> signed smellee

I have to point out that they could perfectly have pipes, running water 
and even hot water at that time. That technology was invented, as far 
as I know, by the Romans, and kept alive by the Arab culture during the 
middle ages. Romans had plumbing in their rich houses, and awas used to 
carry hot water to the floors and ceilings, to heat the house in 
winter, just like modern radiators do. Not only that, the Arabs kept 
and improved the design, and by the time they conquered the Iberian 
Peninsula (year 711), they were already masters in the construction of 
water works: fountains, piping, irrigation, etc. For anyone that does 
not believe me, I recomend a visit to Al-hambra or to Cordoba, in 
Spain, to see first hand the constructions the Arab created while they 
stayed there.

So, when the castle first was constructed/magically created (I think it 
was magically created, and has been imporven over the years), they 
could have included the piping into the structure (just as Salazar 
included the hidden chamber). Just because the howling barbarians that 
destroyed the Roman Empire didn't know about plumbing, it doesn't mean 
that the four wizards couldn't have traveled to more enlighted places 
to learn about that sort of thing. After all, Romans were already 
constructing aqueducts long before Hogwarts existed, and when you can 
create something that big, you can definetely build a big castle, 
especially if thigs like gravity, structural weight and suport are 
things one can bend to your own purpose. If at that time, some basic 
toilets were included, it is logical to imagine that there could have 
been taps. The castle's magic would simply remodel it to adapt it to 
modern versions of the same ideas, keeping things like colours and 
images. 

Hope that helps,

Grey Wolf