How long did it take a scientist to discover the water cycle?

The water cycle was not discovered by a single scientist but rather developed over centuries through the contributions of many thinkers. Early concepts of the water cycle can be traced back to ancient civilizations, while significant advancements occurred in the 17th century with scientists like Evangelista Torricelli and Blaise Pascal. By the time the modern understanding of the water cycle was solidified in the 19th century, it had taken many years of observation and research to piece together the various processes involved.