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Where did human waste go before toilets?

Published in Human Waste Management 1 min read

Before the invention and widespread use of toilets, human waste disposal methods varied depending on the era, population density, and available resources. In general, human waste was managed in ways that were simple and often directly linked to the environment.

According to the provided reference, when the human population was significantly smaller, waste management was less complex. Here's a breakdown:

  • Burial: Waste could be buried in the ground.
  • Rivers: It was sometimes thrown into rivers.
  • Fertilizer: It was utilized as fertilizer for crops.

Methods of Human Waste Disposal Before Toilets

Method Description
Burial Human waste was simply buried in the ground.
Throwing in Rivers Waste was disposed of in rivers, which could lead to sanitation issues.
Crop Fertilization Waste was used to fertilize crops.

Essentially, with a smaller population, the impact of these methods was less severe, as the environment could more easily absorb the waste.

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