The ancient Romans were famous for their baths, but what about their counterparts from the East – the people in ancient China?
Archaeologists have recently excavated three precious bathrooms that could lead to the answers.
Experts said the well-equipped washrooms, dating back about 2,300 years, were a part of an imperial palace. They were once fitted with exquisite tiles and sophisticated sewage system.
Archaeologists in China have excavated three precious bathrooms dating over 2,000 years
Drain was installed under each of the bathtubs which were a part of an imperial palace
Experts were impressed by the efficient sewage system found outside the ancient bathrooms
The remains of the luxurious facilities were discovered more than two metres below the ground on the archaeological site of the Ancient Liyang City near modern-day Xi’an, reported People’s Daily Online, citing Xi’an Evening News.
Evidence of three clusters of buildings have been found within the range of the Ancient Liyang City.
The ancient bathrooms were unearthed under the number three cluster believed to be the imperial palace of the Qin State.
They were situated in the living quarters of the palace, said Liu Rui, a researcher from the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The bathrooms were found below the ground on the site of the Ancient Liyang City near Xi’an
The bathtubs were fitted with floor tiles and there were exquisite tiles on the walls of the rooms
Located near modern-day Xi’an, in north-west China, Ancient Liyang City was one of the three capital cities during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) and Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD)
Mr Liu, the leader of the archaeological team, said similar bathrooms had only been found in the ancient Xianyang Palace. Xianyang Palace was the palace of Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor.
Two out of the three ancient bathrooms were described to be lavish suites.
The two bathrooms were situated on a north-south axis. The bathtubs were once fitted with floor tiles and there were exquisite tiles on the walls, said Mr Liu.
There was a drain in the corner of the bathroom and in the bathtub.
An expert excavates one bathtub at the archaeological site near Xi’an, north-west China
It’s the first time Chinese experts have discovered such complete bath facilities with sewage system from the Qin State, which later became the powerful Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC)
The suite on the south side is believed to be used by the rulers of Qin State and their mistresses because the size of the bathtub and the suite itself were bigger. Sophisticated sewage system was found outside the suite.
The suite on the north side were thought to be used just by the rulers’ mistresses. No sewage system was found around the suite.
It’s suggested that the two suites shared the same sewage system.
It’s the first time Chinese experts have discovered such complete bath facilities with sewage system from the Qin State, according to People’s Daily.