Until recent centuries , all artificial wells were pumpless hand - dug wells of varying degrees of sophistication .
Wells remain a very important source of potable water in some rural developing areas where they are routinely dug and used today .
Until recent centuries , all artificial wells were pumpless hand - dug wells of varying degrees of sophistication , and they remain a very important source of potable water in some rural developing areas where they are routinely dug and used today .