Beerput is indeed used by the Dutch/Flemish for what we would call a privy
or in England a cesspit. There are large numbers of post-medieval urban
beerputten compared to very few in England. This and the very rich urban
culture means that the Dutch are awash with nice closed groups of finds
while this side of the Channel much of pot is just residual (ie. mixed).


paul courtney
leicester
UK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr Robert V J P Varman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 1:39 PM
Subject: 'Beerput'


> Dear Histarchers,  Some time ago someone had a query about the Dutch word
> 'beerput'. My cousin Marianne van Kempen sent me the following:
>
>   "The word "beerput".  Beer has 4 meanings in Dutch:    1. Bear (animal).
> 2. Human droppings (very old-Dutch, we don't use it anymore).         3.
> Male pig.    4. Buttress (architecture).
> Put means pit.
> Beerput has 2 meanings;  1. Pit for droppings.    2. Reservoir for dirty
> and indecent affairs (businesses).... [for example, 'That house is a
beerput'].
> I do remember a farm where a shelf with a big hole was placed over a
> beerput as a toilet. (I'm getting old)."
>
> Cousin means human waste when she writes 'human droppings'. To me
'beerput'
> is the same as privy pit. All privy pits I have excavated were used for
> depositing both human waste and household rubbish. I do keep track of
Dutch
> archaeology and the material described as coming from 'beerputs' are of
the
> same nature as material generally excavated from older privies.
>
> Regards,    Robert.
>
>
>
>
>          Archaeologist  &  Heritage  Consultant
> ph:  + 61 + 2 43882169     fax: + 61 + 2 43898450
>     http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/6559
> 31 Wombat St  Berkeleyvale NSW Australia 2261
>