El saneamiento en las ciudades andalusíes

Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss the organization of the evacuation of waste water in the towns of al-Andalus. The excavations carried out and historical data show the different solutions that were present in the towns, as were the latrines communicated with cesspits or a rather complicated sewer system. The analysis of the urban structure of the deserted villages as Saltés (Huelva), Bayyana (Pechina, Almería), Vascos (Toledo), Siyása (Murcia) demonstrates the presence of latrines in almost every house. We can observe that town authorities of al-Andalus had concerned themselves with the supervising of an adequate evacuation of waste water, introducing sewer pipes and digging cesspits in the habitation areas, as well as the obligation of the citizens to clean and maintain them.