Only archaeologists would get excited about finding a latrine. Underneath London’s Courtauld Institute of Art at Somerset House, a medieval cesspit has been found, which was used from the 1300s to the 1500s. Up to 100 objects have been retrieved from sticky, greenish sludge in the 4 meter (15 ft) deep pit.
Some items are bathroom-related, but there have also been a surprising number of ceramic finds. Surprisingly, some were not broken, which makes it curious why they were thrown away.
The variety of finds makes archaeologists suspect the cesspit was both a bathroom and occasional trashpit of the Chester Inn, a poorly-documented residence from the 1400s which stood where Somerset House is today. It is a little ironic that the pit was found when excavating the exact spot where the Courtauld is planning to install new toilets!
