Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
In these cities, where only a few streets were paved, where the slope of streets was
not regulated, where both human and animal populations were extremely dense and
where cart and other tipcart traf
c contributed to the formation of a putrid mud, a
signi
oors, of houses
to become buried. This partly unintentional elevation of the ground level was the
result of an accumulation of urban waste and rubbish at the surface. It occurred at
varying rates and often accelerated following demolitions in times of con
cant elevation of the ground led to ground
oors, even second
ict. It also
tended to increase as a result of arti
cial embankment construction which trans-
formed marshy areas into developable land and where construction material often
was itself a type of waste: excavated material from moats, demolition rubble and
urban mud.
During the Middle Ages, dumpsites, formed from bulky refuse and the drainage
of pit privies or through the deployment of street cleaning services, could be found
in some cities.
7
These dumps, originally established at the city gates, then later
surrounded by the growing city and replaced by sites outside of the new urban
limits, often grew into real hills. This is the case in Paris where these mounds have
been completely integrated into the urban landscape; because they are raised above
the general ground level, they can accommodate more ef
cient windmills (Fig.
7.1
).
The labyrinth of the Jardin des Plantes is another example of a historical dumpsite
that is still visible today. Other mounds have disappeared: this is the case for
the motta papellardorum, located on the western point of the
Î
le de la Cit
é
and
for the Monceau Saint-Gervais, located behind the city hall (H
tel de Ville).
8
Generally speaking, salubrity levels dropped in European cities from the 15th to
18th century.
9
It was during the 18th century that two movements were set in
motion that eventually resulted in a reassessment of the management of urban
excreta.
ô
7.3 1770s
-
1860s
7.3.1 Neo-Hippocratism and Hygienics
During the 18th century in Europe, medical
thinking was characterized by a
growing interest in Hippocrates
'
theories. In particular, his treatise
“
Airs, Waters,
,
10
and Places
”
in which he emphasized the primary role of the environment in
7
Chevallier (
1849
).
8
Belgrand (
1887
).
9
For more precisions about Middle Ages and Renaissance, see (among others): Leguay (
1999
);
Assainissement et salubrit
é
publique en Europe m
é
ridionale (
n du Moyen
Â
ge,
é
poque moderne).
2001. Si
è
cles
—
Cahiers du centre d
'
histoire
“
Espaces et cultures
”
14; Magnusson (
2006
) and
Jorgensen (
2008
).
10
Coray (
1800
).
