Toilets are an essential part of daily life. In fact, an average adult visits the bathroom 6 to 8 times a day, adding up to roughly 2,500 times a year. If each visit lasts about two minutes, that means we spend almost an entire year of our lives in the bathroom! But have you ever wondered what toilets were like in ancient times? Well, let’s take a fascinating dive into the past and explore the evolution of human waste management.
The Perils of Ancient Toilets
In prehistoric times, toilets were as simple as open pits. People would relieve themselves near these holes, often at great personal risk. The dangers of falling into these pits were real—just ask Duke Jing of Jin from the Spring and Autumn period (722–481 BCE). According to the Zuo Zhuan, he fell into a toilet pit and died. Some believe he suffered a medical episode before his fall, but either way, he holds the dubious honor of being the first recorded ruler to die in a bathroom accident.
The Ingenious “Hùn Cè” of the Han Dynasty
By the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), toilets had evolved into a more sophisticated setup. People built them in their courtyards, often above pigsties, so that human waste could drop directly into the pig enclosure. This type of toilet was called a hùn cè (圈厕), serving multiple purposes:
- Hygiene & Efficiency: Combining toilets and pigsties minimized contamination while keeping waste management localized.
- Agricultural Benefits: Human waste was a valuable natural fertilizer in an era without chemical alternatives.
- Space-Saving Design: Elevating the toilet above the pigsty optimized land use.
While practical, the hùn cè also had a downside—parasites. Consuming human waste posed health risks for pigs and, indirectly, for humans who ate them.
The Portable Toilet: The Mighty “Tiger Pot”
For nighttime convenience, ancient Chinese people used a portable toilet called a “tiger pot” (hǔzi, 虎子). Its name likely originated from legendary Han Dynasty general Li Guang. According to the Xijing Zaji, after killing a tiger in the wild, Li Guang had a chamber pot made in its shape to mock his enemy. However, archaeological findings suggest that hǔzi existed long before Li Guang.
The hǔzi was an essential household item for both men and women. Women’s versions had a wider mouth and a spill-proof rim to prevent accidents. But by the Tang Dynasty (618–907), the name “tiger pot” became politically incorrect—because Emperor Gaozu’s grandfather was named Li Hu (Hu meaning “tiger”). To avoid disrespecting the imperial family, people started calling it a “horse pot” (mǎzi, 马子), which eventually led to the invention of the modern “horse bucket” or mǎtǒng (马桶)—the term still used for toilets in Chinese today.
The Thriving Business of Waste Collection
By the Tang and Song dynasties, cities had a growing population, and with it, a growing waste problem. Enter the “waste collectors,” who made a living by collecting and selling human waste as fertilizer. During the Tang Dynasty, a man named Luo Hui became rich through this business (Chao Ye Qian Zai mentions his family’s vast wealth). In the Song Dynasty (960–1279), waste collection was so competitive that businesses even went to court over territorial disputes!
In the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1912), Beijing had a well-organized waste disposal system. Waste collectors, called fènfū (粪夫), transported waste to the outskirts, where it was processed into manure and sold to farmers. Wealthier neighborhoods produced “premium waste” due to better diets, leading to fierce competition among collectors for access to high-value waste routes. Over time, collectors established official territories, complete with contracts and trade agreements.
The Decline of Waste Collectors and the Rise of Modern Toilets
With the advent of indoor plumbing and flush toilets in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the profession of waste collectors gradually disappeared. The development of sanitation systems revolutionized urban living, significantly improving hygiene and public health. Today, toilets continue to evolve, with innovations like smart toilets, water-saving flush systems, and even composting toilets making an impact worldwide.
A Reflection on Civilization
Toilets might seem like a mundane topic, but their history reflects the progress of human civilization. From primitive pits to elaborate sanitation systems, the way societies handle waste tells a lot about their technological advancements and cultural values. So, next time you sit on your modern toilet, take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come!