Swimming dates back to around 2600 B.C.E. This is when the first pool was created, in Mohenjo-Daro. Cave art depicting people swimming from approximately 2500 B.C.E was uncovered in Ancient Egyptian caves. Evidence proves that it later spread to civilizations like Ancient Greece, Rome, Japan, & Assyria.

The activity was practised as early as 2500 BC, as indicated by ancient Egyptian clay seals. Cave paintings from the Stone Age depict individuals swimming, and even the Bible has references to it also. Ancient civilisations in Greece and Rome built dedicated pools and encouraged people to develop it as a useful skill.