IMC 2008: Sessions

Session 826: The Early Crusades: Perceptions and Organisation

Moderator/Chair:	Jason T. Roche, St Andrews' Institute of Mediaeval Studies, University of St Andrews
Paper 826-a	Were There Any Crusades before the First Crusade?: An Interpretation of Medieval Perception (Language: English) Patrick Stohler, Historisches Seminar, Universität Basel Index terms: Crusades
Paper 826-b	Roads, Bridges, and River Transport in Crusade Expeditions from the West to Constantinople, 1096-1192 (Language: English) Alan V. Murray, Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds Index terms: Crusades
Paper 826-c	The Bioarchaeology of Latrines and Cesspools in Crusader Acre (Language: English) Piers D. Mitchell, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London Index terms: Archaeology - General, Crusades, Daily Life, Medicine
Abstract	Abstract -a: to be provided Abstract -b: to be provided Abstract -c: The aim of this paper is to discuss the bioarchaeological analysis of a series of latrines and cesspools from Acre (Israel) that were in use during the crusader period (12-13th century). The largest of these were the latrines of the Order of St John, which had 35 toilet seats and was built on four floors. The findings include parasitic intestinal worm eggs, biomolecular evidence for dysentery, and elements of the diet including cereal grains, fruit stones, and animal bone. The results are interpreted with reference to crusader written texts describing daily life in cities such as Acre.