First Toilet And Sewer System Of Prehistoric Period Found In Van

Turkish Press.com ^ | 8-22-2004

[blam]

First Toilet And Sewer System Of Prehistoric Period Found In Van

Anadolu Agency: 8/22/2004

VAN - The first toilet and sewer system of prehistoric period was found in an Urartian castle in Gurpinar town of eastern province of Van.

In an interview with the A.A correspondent, Istanbul University Eurasian Archaeology Institute Director Prof. Dr. Oktay Belli said on Saturday that they had unearthed a toilet in the western part of Cavustepe Castle built by Urartian King Sarduri II in 764 BC.

''We revealed that Urartian architects had formed a sewer system before building the castle. The toilet and sewer system in the castle is similar to today's toilets,'' he said.

Prof. Dr. Belli said, ''Urartu Kingdom had attributed great importance to architect. Their architects had used the most developed techniques of the prehistoric period. They had built their castles in strategic areas after carrying out ground studies. We believe that Urartu Kingdom was the first civilization using toilet and sewer system.''

The Urartu Kingdom was formed in eastern Anatolia at the beginning of the first millennium BC after the fall of the Hittite empire. The kingdom survived for three hundred years. During the early Urartu period, they were grouped in a series of emirates known as Nairi, but in 900 BC, they formed a confederation under a central monarch.

[blam]

I thought the Minoians on Crete had the first toilets.(?)

[blam]

GGG Ping.

[Mr. K]

I thought they found my first conversion van- I swear it only LOOKED prehistoric guys!

[BigLittle]

I'm flushed with excitement at this news ;>)

[jtminton]

Too many "bathroom in Van" jokes to list!

[Mister Baredog]

First Toilet And Sewer System Of Prehistoric Period Found In Van

I thought they found it in the back of a van, LOL!! Silly me!!

[OSHA]

They had built their castles in strategic areas after carrying out ground studies.

Prehistoric environmental impact studies?

[Constitution Day]

Probably in a van by the river.

[evets]

[AppyPappy]

Speaking of toilets, how is ECU supposed to do this year in football?

[ohioconservative]

Damn -- that's one big van. You know you've got the newest, most luxurious model when you have to separate the inside of your van into provinces!!!

[justshutupandtakeit]

They did. This probably was one used a couple of years ago and still the most advanced in the area. :^)

[ScottFromSpokane]

"What were you doin' in my van, eh?"

[TC Rider]

Was it a van, down by the river?

[Constitution Day]

ROFL! Have you seen their schedule?
Looks like it will be a brutal year for the purple & gold.

[TC Rider]

Darn, a minute late, I may as well go live in a van, down by the river.

[AppyPappy]

A friend is trying to get me to come to a game this year. I'm always ready for a tailgate.

[ohioconservative]

Thank goodness the people who stole the Scream painting didn't try to rip off this van either (sarcasm)

[Constitution Day]

Me too. Even if they're gonna get creamed.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

When! Now I know why the guy lived down by the river, in his van.