29 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Study Reveals Córdoba’s Advanced Sanitation System: A Medieval Model Unmatched in Europe for Centuries

Recent research has unveiled the impressive sanitation systems of medieval Córdoba, revealing that the city’s infrastructure was so advanced that it would not be matched in Europe until the twentieth century. Between the 10th and 13th centuries, Córdoba established a comprehensive approach to urban hygiene, characterized by an elaborate network of sewers, well-maintained cesspits, and community-driven cleanliness initiatives.

The study, conducted by Rafael Blanco-Guzmán and Jesús Atenciano-Crespillo and published in Al-Masāq: Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean, draws on over 300 archaeological excavations alongside historical documents from the Islamic period of al-Andalus. This extensive research illustrates a city that not only prioritized cleanliness through its infrastructure but also fostered a strong sense of civic responsibility and environmental stewardship among its residents.

Central to Córdoba’s sanitation success was its sophisticated sewer system, which served the walled Medina, the city’s core during its time as the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate. Likely initiated under the rule of ʿAbd al-Rahmān III and expanded during Almanzor’s reign, this network was constructed using durable materials such as ashlar masonry, sealed with lime mortar and topped with stone slabs. Wastewater was efficiently channeled through this underground system and ultimately discharged into the Guadalquivir River. The authors suggest that the scale and complexity of this network indicate it was a product of centralized planning, possibly overseen by the caliph or his close advisors.

Panoramics of Córdoba as drawn by Anton van den Wyngaerde in 1567
Panoramics of Córdoba as drawn by Anton van den Wyngaerde in 1567

The longevity of the sewer system is notable, with parts remaining operational even after the Christian conquest in 1236, and some sections continued to function for centuries thereafter. In contrast, sanitation in the residential areas relied on cesspits connected to latrines in private homes. These pits were typically shallow and strategically located away from water sources, allowing the soil to act as a natural filter to safeguard groundwater. This understanding of sanitation was shared by both authorities and residents, reflecting a collective awareness of public health.

By the 10th century, latrines had become a common feature in Andalusī homes, often positioned near the street to facilitate waste disposal through ceramic drains. In some cases, cesspits were shared among neighboring households, typically with mutual consent, often within extended families. To avoid contamination, residents were careful about placing cesspits in closed alleyways, ensuring that all neighbors agreed before proceeding.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



Latrine at Madinat al-Zahra, a 10th-century palace at Cordoba. Photo by Daniel Villafruela / Wikimedia Commons
Latrine at Madinat al-Zahra, a 10th-century palace at Cordoba. Photo by Daniel Villafruela / Wikimedia Commons

The research also indicates that urban planning in certain suburban districts included provisions for latrines from the outset, a feature not commonly found in other cities of the time. The culture of cleanliness in Córdoba extended beyond mere infrastructure; it was a communal obligation embedded in legal norms and social expectations. Residents were responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the areas directly in front of their homes, a practice supported by the Islamic legal principle of fina, which emphasized individual responsibility for local cleanliness.

Municipal officials, such as the lord of the market and the judge, had the authority to intervene when necessary, particularly to prevent water contamination or resolve disputes related to sanitation practices. Even the maintenance of cesspits was subject to regulation, highlighting the importance of this work despite its low-status perception. Cleaning these pits, often carried out by marginalized laborers, was essential for the effective functioning of the city’s sanitation system and was compensated fairly.

Fountain of Caño Gordo at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba – photo by Américo Toledano / Wikimedia Commons
Fountain of Caño Gordo at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba – photo by Américo Toledano / Wikimedia Commons

Córdoba’s sanitation achievements challenge long-standing assumptions about medieval urban hygiene. The authors argue that the hygienic advancements of al-Andalus, rooted in community solidarity and authoritative oversight, would not be equaled in Europe until the twentieth century. Far from being an afterthought, sanitation in Córdoba was the result of deliberate planning, legal frameworks, architectural foresight, and public cooperation. This reveals a medieval city that was not only committed to beauty, learning, and commerce but also to the health and cleanliness of everyday life.

Blanco-Guzmán, R., & Atenciano-Crespillo, J. (2024). Urban Sanitation in al-Andalus: The Case of Qurṭuba (Tenth to Thirteenth Century). Al-Masāq, 37(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503110.2024.2323894

Cover Image Credit: Official seal of Córdoba – Wikipedia

Related Articles

Archaeologists 3D map Red Lily Lagoon, the hidden Northern Territory landscape where first Australians lived more than 60,000 years ago

10 May 2023

10 May 2023

Archaeologists map Red Lily Lagoon, a hidden landscape in the Northern Territory where the first Australians lived more than 60,000...

Ancient Hawaiian Petroglyphs Reappear on Oahu’s Shoreline After Years Beneath the Sand

25 July 2025

25 July 2025

A remarkable piece of Hawaii’s cultural legacy has resurfaced this month, as ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs were once again exposed along...

Archaeologists Unearthed Third Greatest Fire Temple Existing in Ancient Iran’s Sassanid Era

11 July 2022

11 July 2022

Archaeologists have unearthed ruins of what they believe to be the third-greatest fire temple in ancient Iran during the Sassanid...

Archaeologists find 4 Umayyad epigraphs in the ancient city Knidos

24 May 2022

24 May 2022

Archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Knidos connected to Datça District of Muğla province in western Turkey have unearthed...

A rare 2,500-year-old shipwreck found off the Greek island of Kythera

5 November 2021

5 November 2021

A rare shipwreck from the ancient era was discovered during the maritime survey for the Crete-Peloponnese subsea link. The Independent...

Remarkable discovery of Iron Age and Roman treasures found near a boggy area on Anglesey

29 February 2024

29 February 2024

Metal detectorist Ian Porter unearthed sixteen historical artifacts in a boggy field on Anglesey. Among the items found were Iron...

One of Gaul’s Largest Roman Villas Discovered Near Auxerre, France, Spanning Over 4,000 m²

7 June 2025

7 June 2025

Archaeologists uncover a massive 4,000 m² Roman villa near Auxerre, revealing elite lifestyles in ancient Gaul. A remarkable archaeological discovery...

Well-Preserved Wooden Houses Over 2,000 Years Old Discovered in Zhejiang, China

15 March 2025

15 March 2025

In a remarkable archaeological find, researchers in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China, have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved wooden houses dating back over...

The identities of the occupants of the unspoiled 4th-century BCE Royal Tombs at Vergina in northern Greece have been identified

26 January 2024

26 January 2024

The identities of the occupants of the unspoiled 4th-century BCE Royal Tombs at Vergina in northern Greece have been identified....

3,000-Year-Old Twisted Gold Torc Discovered in Essex, southeast England

16 July 2023

16 July 2023

A metal detectorist has discovered a 3,000-year-old part of a twisted gold torc in a field near Mistley, on the...

New fortification walls discovered in the ancient city of Pergamon

14 February 2022

14 February 2022

2,500-year-old fortification walls were found in the Ancient City of Pergamon (Bergama), which was included in the World Heritage List...

Interesting Social Dimensions of Rare Diseases Seen in the Bronze Age

10 March 2021

10 March 2021

When it comes to Rare Diseases, what almost all of us think of is that this disease has affected very...

An 8,500-year-old trepanned skull discovered in Çatalhöyük

23 December 2023

23 December 2023

Traces of trepanation (skull drilling operation) were found on a skull found in the 9,000-year-old Çatalhöyük, near the modern city...

2,400-year-old Battlefield of Alexander the Great’s First Persian Victory found in Türkiye

27 December 2024

27 December 2024

After 20 years of research, archaeologists in Türkiye have pinpointed the exact location of the legendary Battle of Granicus, where...

Scientists reconstruct Late Bronze and Iron Age Mediterranean silver trade

11 July 2021

11 July 2021

Scientists have recreated the Eastern Mediterranean silver trade across a time span that includes the conventional dates of the Trojan...