In the history of public health, which ancient civilisation is often credited with beginning organised public health and sanitation systems such as aqueducts and sewers?

Introduction / Context:
Public health and sanitation systems, including clean water supply and waste removal, are crucial for preventing disease in large populations. Many ancient civilisations made advances in this area, but general knowledge questions often focus on which civilisation is most famous for systematic public works such as aqueducts, sewers and public baths. This question tests whether students can associate that achievement with the Romans.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question asks which civilisation began organised public health and sanitation systems.
- Options include Mexicans, Egyptians, Romans and Chinese, all of whom made various contributions to civilisation.
- We assume a basic understanding of Roman engineering and urban planning.
- The aim is to identify the civilisation best known for city wide, state organised water and sewer systems.

Concept / Approach:
While several ancient peoples cared about cleanliness and water, the Romans stand out for building large scale infrastructure that served entire cities. Their aqueducts carried fresh water over long distances, while sewers such as the Cloaca Maxima helped drain waste and keep urban areas healthier. They also built public baths and insisted on regulations for water distribution. Therefore, the concept is to recognise that Romans are typically credited in history and exam materials with beginning such organised public health systems.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall key images of Roman civilisation, including roads, aqueducts, amphitheatres and baths.Step 2: Connect aqueducts and sewers directly to public health and sanitation, since they provide clean water and remove waste.Step 3: Consider other options. Egyptians built pyramids and had irrigation, but not the same kind of urban sewer networks that Romans are famous for.Step 4: Note that Chinese and Mesoamerican civilisations also had impressive engineering, yet general knowledge questions rarely credit them with starting formal public health systems in the same way.Step 5: Select Romans as the civilisation most commonly associated with beginning organised public health and sanitation systems.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, recall that history texts often describe Roman cities with running water, fountains, drains and public latrines. They highlight Roman concern for water quality and the maintenance of aqueducts. When exam guides discuss the origins of public health, they commonly mention Rome as a pioneer. This consistent treatment confirms that Romans are the correct choice for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Mexicans, might refer broadly to ancient Mesoamerican cultures, which did develop urban centres and some water systems, but they are not usually cited in exams as the first to create public health systems for entire cities. Option B, Egyptians, were advanced in architecture and irrigation, yet historical surveys rarely credit them specifically with organised urban sanitation comparable to Roman sewers. Option D, Chinese, built impressive infrastructure like the Grand Canal and defensive walls, but in typical general knowledge questions the label of starting public health systems is given to Romans.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse irrigation for agriculture with urban sanitation for health. Many civilisations irrigated fields, but not all built city wide sewer networks. Another pitfall is to choose Egyptians simply because they are an early and well known civilisation. A better strategy is to connect each option to a specific achievement. Romans should instantly bring to mind aqueducts and sewers, which are directly linked to the idea of public health.

Final Answer:
The civilisation often credited with beginning organised public health and sanitation systems is the Romans.