Long before modern times, archaeologists discovered a flushing toilet used by a Korean prince (photo).
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of flush toilets in a 1,300-year-old palace complex in South Korea, one of which is believed to have belonged to the crown prince. This discovery sheds light on the ancient sanitation practices of the region, writes Live Science.
According to Kim Gyeong-yol, an archaeologist from the Korean Heritage Service who led the excavations, these are the first flush toilets found in Korea. Unlike modern systems, these toilets required someone—likely a servant—to manually pour water to flush waste through the sewage system.
One of the toilets, located within the palace, drained directly into a nearby river, indicating a unique status associated with its use. Other toilets found outside the main palace stored waste in cesspits.
Experts suggest that the toilet connected to the river may have been used solely by the crown prince and his closest servants, reflecting a social hierarchy even in sanitary practices.
The palace, named Donggun, which translates to "crown prince," was built in 674 CE during the Unified Silla period when the Silla kingdom ruled most of the Korean Peninsula. During the excavations, researchers also discovered at least 26 buildings and numerous artifacts that provide insight into the lifestyle of that time.
Though this is the first find of its kind in Korea, ancient flush toilets were used elsewhere much earlier. The Indus Valley civilization, thriving between 2600 and 1900 BCE in what is now Pakistan, had flush toilets connected to an elaborate drainage system.
In contrast, the English did not develop flush toilets until the late 16th century, when Sir John Harington created a prototype for Queen Elizabeth I. However, his design lacked key features of modern toilets, such as the S-bend that prevents unpleasant odors.
We also reported on an excavation in northwest England. Archaeologists unearthed a Viking hall, which turned out to be the largest found in Britain.