SMYRNA (İZMİR) AGORASI’NDA BULUNAN LAZIMLIKLAR (HAVRUZLAR) VE OSMANLI’DA LAZIMLIK KÜLTÜRÜ
Project no. 926 · Status: Kapanmış · 2015
Summary
Toilet is one of the more private issues in Ottoman culture. Toilet problem, tackled earlier in Muslim cultures with more lasting and relatively healthier methods was seen as dirty and private thus was not talked about or recorded extensively. Toilets and connected simple sewage systems are seen since the Seljuks in Anatolia but this paper deals with chamber pots; objects used in houses, inns, hospitals. Chamber pots originating in ancient times and used in Europe almost until 20. century following tradition were important daily use objects. Common thinking is that the Muslim communities didn’t use chamber pots but in fact chamber pots are useful for the sick, old, disabled and, of course, children. Healthy adults are thought to use the alaturka, squat toilet. But chamber pots should have been used by healthy adults too especially in houses, hospitals and inns. Chamber pots commonly found during the excavations in the Agora are rough, unglazed on the outside but yellow glazed on the inside. They have two handles for easy carrying and emptying. Sizes of the chamber pots allow us to distinguish chamber pots intended for adults and children. A similar group of chamber pots have also been found in the Agora; these chamber pots are longer, without handles and are believed to be used in cradles.