Medieval Latrine Unearthed in Denmark

News April 4, 2014

SHARE:
Danish.-latrine-find
Odense City Museum

ODENSE, DENMARK—In the center of the medieval town of Odense, well-preserved brick houses, half-timbered houses, and stables have been unearthed, along with barrels that had been repurposed as latrines. “We are talking about 700-year-old latrines. And yes, they still smell bad,” archaeologist Maria Elisabeth Lauridsen told Discovery News. “Preliminary results of analysis shows that raspberries were popular in Odense in the 1300s. The contents also contain small pieces of moss, leather and fabric which were used as toilet paper,” she added. 

  • Features March/April 2014

    All Hands on Deck

    Inviting the world to explore a shipwreck deep in the Gulf of Mexico

    Read Article
    (Courtesy NOAA)
  • Features March/April 2014

    Messengers to the Gods

    During a turbulent period in ancient Egypt, common people turned to animal mummies to petition the gods, inspiring the rise of a massive religious industry

    Read Article
    Courtesy The Brooklyn Museum
  • Letter From Borneo March/April 2014

    The Landscape of Memory

    Archaeology, oral history, and culture deep in the Malaysian jungle

    Read Article
    (Jerry Redfern)
  • Artifacts March/April 2014

    Chimú-Inca Funerary Idols

    Read Article
    (Matthew Helmer)