Final answer:
Monasteries improved water supplies to medieval towns through the construction of wells, aqueducts, and canals, as well as the development of irrigation systems for agriculture. They also contributed to the preservation of knowledge through the hand-copying of books.
Step-by-step explanation:
During medieval times, monasteries played a crucial role in improving water supplies to towns. They implemented various methods to collect and distribute clean water to the residents. One way they did this was by constructing wells within the monastery grounds, which provided a reliable source of water. They also built aqueducts and canals to transport water from distant sources to the towns.
Additionally, monasteries used their knowledge of engineering to create efficient irrigation systems for agriculture. They constructed dams, terraces, and water channels to distribute water to fields, allowing crops to thrive.
Monasteries also contributed to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge through hand-copying books, some of which contained information related to water management. These illuminated manuscripts were carefully crafted by the monks and served as important educational resources for future generations.