1,300 Years Old Medieval Flush Toilet Discovered in South Korea

[Judi Lynn]

By
Abdul Moeed
February 24, 2025



Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Gyeongju. Credit: Korea Heritage Service / Korea Open Government License
Archaeologists in South Korea have uncovered ancient medieval flush toilets in a 1,300-year-old palace, including a unique system designed for the crown prince. Unlike the era’s other waste disposal methods, this special toilet had a drain that emptied directly into a nearby river.

The discovery at Donggung Palace offers new insights into sanitation practices during the Unified Silla period (A.D. 668–935). Researchers from the Korean Heritage Service have studied the site for years, but recent excavations revealed these early water-draining toilets, the first found in Korea.

A symbol of status and power

Excavation leader Kim Gyeong Yeol stated that the prince’s toilet was uniquely designed compared to others in the palace. According to him, one of the toilets “directly discharges human waste into the river through a drain.” In contrast, other toilets in nearby buildings stored waste inside, functioning more like traditional outhouses.


Experts believe this exclusive feature reflected social status. The crown prince and high-ranking palace women may have been the only ones allowed to use it. This system “seems to have a hierarchical meaning,” Gyeong Yeol explained.

More:
https://greekreporter.com/2025/02/24/1300-years-old-medieval-flush-toilet-south-korea/