Down the drain

Reconstructing social practice from the content of two sewers in a Late Antique bathhouse in Jerash, Jordan

Bibliographic Data

ID12374015
AuthorsLouise Blanke (0000-0002-5005-9022, University of Edinburgh, corresponding author), Pernille Bangsgaard (0000-0002-8517-6165, University of Copenhagen), Stephen McPhillips (0000-0003-1778-9709, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Raffaella Pappalardo, Tim Penn (0000-0003-4472-9031, University of Reading)
Year2024
Volume37
Issue1
Pages241-263
Publication date2024-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Roman Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-7594 • E-ISSN: 2331-5709
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s104775942400014x
OpenAlexW4400088808
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited18

This contribution examines social practices in the Central Bathhouse in Jerash in Late Antiquity based on the ceramic assemblage, vessel glass, faunal remains, and small finds retrieved from two sections of the bathhouse's sewer. We argue that although the bathhouse underwent significant architectural alterations from its construction in the 4th c. CE to its abandonment in the late 7th, the activities taking place inside the building remained largely the same. Our study shows that even towards the end of the bathhouse's lifespan, bodily grooming remained integral to the bathing experience, while food and drink were consumed on the premises even though the bathing facilities had been reduced to a bare minimum. The faunal remains indicate the type of food consumed, while the small finds illustrate a lively environment where gaming and gambling took place in a social space frequented by men, women, and children

Ancient history · Antique · Art · Sanitary sewer · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeological Research and Protection · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Environmental Science · History · Environmental Engineering