A glimpse into daily life in an Ottoman harbour: Evidence from a cesspit in Ainos (Türkiye)

Abstract

The daily life of non-elite people from the past is usually hard to evaluate, since historical sources largely concentrate on the upper classes. This knowledge can be gained by archaeological excavations and use of geo- and bioarchaeological methods. In 2021, geophysical prospections in Enez (Türkiye) revealed a circular stone structure. The excavators identified a latrine probably used from 17th until the 19th century. Palynological, palaeoparasitological and archaeobotanical methods have been applied for understanding the diet, hygiene and diseases of the people using the latrine. The cesspit was a closed round structure with walls made of stones. It had no contamination from outside and was filled with liquid or semi-liquid content with dissolved salts and organic matter derived from urine, faeces, kitchen waste, dung and other rubbish. Results show a broad diet including wheat, chili peppers, olives, spices, a wide range of fruits, meat, fish and oysters. This sanitation did not protect the inhabitants of the house from intestinal parasites in the forms of helminths whipworm, roundworm and the protozoan Giardia duodenalis that causes diarrhoea. The data highlight the special role played by the harbour of Ainos in the establishment and possible expansion of new food products from the New World.