In ancient times, people were able to obtain and preserve ice cubes, despite the fact that there was no cold storage in the modern sense, thanks to their deep understanding and skillful use of the natural environment. In ancient times, the formation and preservation of natural ice mainly depended on the development of artificial ice-making technology.
Formation and collection of natural ice:
During the cold winter months, the surfaces of rivers, lakes and oceans freeze. These naturally occurring ice cubes were the main source of ice for ancient people. Large chunks of ice are cut out of the ice and dragged to the shore with tools, or the ice cubes float naturally to the shore using the principle of buoyancy. The collected ice is stored in a special ice cellar for year-round use.
Design and construction of ice cellars:
Ice cellars are buildings invented by ancient people to preserve ice. It is usually built underground, using ground temperature to keep the environment cold. The construction of an ice cellar requires great skill and experience. They are usually constructed of thick walls and a well-sealed roof to prevent the intrusion of outside heat. The interior of the ice cellar is divided into compartments for storing different types of items, the most important of which is ice.
The purpose of the ice cubes
In ancient times, ice cubes were widely used in a variety of settings. First of all, ice cubes are used to make cold drinks and cold foods, such as chilled fruit wine, chilled fruits, etc., to satisfy people's quest for delicious food. Secondly, ice cubes are also used in medical and cosmetic fields, such as cold compresses, ice compresses, etc., to relieve pain and fatigue. In addition, ice cubes are also used to transport and store perishable foods such as meat, fish, etc., to extend their shelf life.
Although natural ice was the main source of ice in ancient times, with the development of science and technology, artificial ice-making technology has gradually emerged. The earliest artificial ice-making method was to place water in an airtight container and then place it at a low temperature to freeze the water. As technology advances, more efficient ice-making methods have been invented, such as the use of salt water to lower the freezing point of water, resulting in faster ice cubes.
Although there was no cold storage in the modern sense in ancient times, people still succeeded in obtaining and preserving ice through the clever use of the natural environment and the development of artificial ice-making technology. These ice cubes played an important role in ancient societies, not only satisfying people's pursuit of food and comfortable life, but also promoting the development of many fields such as medical treatment, beauty, transportation, etc. These achievements demonstrate the wisdom and creativity of the ancient people, and also lay a solid foundation for our lives today.