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***Gilthalion*** · 03-18-2001, 02:20 PM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight
Posts: 191</TD><TD><img src=http://home.att.net/~robertwgardner/lotrmap.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Hobbit Architecture

Ron, since I was never able to download the hobbithole.jpg you kindly downsized for me, could you post that here?

If can wait on a longer download, check this out: http://www.geocities.com/robertwgard...obbithole.html Do It Yourself Hobbit Hole!</a>

Toiletry would have consisted of a privy, that is to say, an outhouse.

I think Middle-earth technology would have encompassed chamberpots, too. (Which were emptied into privies...)

Today, we have the option of septic tanks and sewer systems. Gondor/Numenor may have had this sort of running water technology. (There is some evidence that the Romans may have...)

Flush toilets were not likely, I think, though certainly possible.

Hobbits lived "closer to nature." Those today who make the attempt have created "composting toilets."

Essentially, equal amounts of sawdust and manure can result in efficient decomposition. This composted manure is not used in the vegetable garden, and particularly not for root crops. Rather, it is used for flowering and fruiting plants.

We also use "blackwater" and "graywater" treatments. The dish, bath, laundry water is considered "gray" and can be used for watering anything. The "blackwater" is run off into a "wetland" planted especially for the purpose so that nature itself cleans the refuse.

One could postulate any combination of these sorts of natural systems in use in the Shire.

As for construction, you can read some details I have for this sort of thinking in http://www.barrowdowns.com/fanfichobbits00.aspThe Hobbits</a>. I basically postulate that the hobbitry would seek boughs, limbs, and trunks of particular shapes for their construction. After a time, entire orchards might have been grown and shaped over time to create various support structures.

Earthsheltered housing can be extremely affordable and comfortable. Like a cave, such dwellings tend to remain at the average temperature of the local climate. Thus, cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Flooring, even today in some places, is a matter of hardpacking a mixture of soil and beeswax, or linseed oil. Similar mixtures, or even fired clay tiles overlaying a wooden support arches and wooden shoring, would keep rainwater from seeping through the roof. Pitch could also be used for this purpose.

If our water table weren't so high (there used to be a swamp here), I would build a little hobbit hole in the backyard to demonstrate! If I move out into the country (a dream of mine), I will. Until then, enjoy the links, and let's see what else we can come up with!

<center><font face=verdana size=1> http://www.barrowdowns.comBarrow-Downs</a>~http://www.geocities.com/robertwgardner2000Bare Bones</a>~http://www.robertwgardner2000/gilthalion.htmlGrand Adventures</a>~http://www.barrowdowns.com/fanfichobbits.aspThe Hobbits</a>~http://www.tolkientrail.comTolkien Trail</a> </center></p>

03-18-2001, 02:20 PM	#6
*Gilthalion* Hobbitus Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: South Farthing Posts: 635	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wight Posts: 191</TD><TD><img src=http://home.att.net/~robertwgardner/lotrmap.gif WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Hobbit Architecture Ron, since I was never able to download the hobbithole.jpg you kindly downsized for me, could you post that here? If can wait on a longer download, check this out: http://www.geocities.com/robertwgard...obbithole.html Do It Yourself Hobbit Hole!</a> Toiletry would have consisted of a privy, that is to say, an outhouse. I think Middle-earth technology would have encompassed chamberpots, too. (Which were emptied into privies...) Today, we have the option of septic tanks and sewer systems. Gondor/Numenor may have had this sort of running water technology. (There is some evidence that the Romans may have...) Flush toilets were not likely, I think, though certainly possible. Hobbits lived "closer to nature." Those today who make the attempt have created "composting toilets." Essentially, equal amounts of sawdust and manure can result in efficient decomposition. This composted manure is not used in the vegetable garden, and particularly not for root crops. Rather, it is used for flowering and fruiting plants. We also use "blackwater" and "graywater" treatments. The dish, bath, laundry water is considered "gray" and can be used for watering anything. The "blackwater" is run off into a "wetland" planted especially for the purpose so that nature itself cleans the refuse. One could postulate any combination of these sorts of natural systems in use in the Shire. As for construction, you can read some details I have for this sort of thinking in http://www.barrowdowns.com/fanfichobbits00.aspThe Hobbits</a>. I basically postulate that the hobbitry would seek boughs, limbs, and trunks of particular shapes for their construction. After a time, entire orchards might have been grown and shaped over time to create various support structures. Earthsheltered housing can be extremely affordable and comfortable. Like a cave, such dwellings tend to remain at the average temperature of the local climate. Thus, cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Flooring, even today in some places, is a matter of hardpacking a mixture of soil and beeswax, or linseed oil. Similar mixtures, or even fired clay tiles overlaying a wooden support arches and wooden shoring, would keep rainwater from seeping through the roof. Pitch could also be used for this purpose. If our water table weren't so high (there used to be a swamp here), I would build a little hobbit hole in the backyard to demonstrate! If I move out into the country (a dream of mine), I will. Until then, enjoy the links, and let's see what else we can come up with! <center><font face=verdana size=1> http://www.barrowdowns.comBarrow-Downs</a>~http://www.geocities.com/robertwgardner2000Bare Bones</a>~http://www.robertwgardner2000/gilthalion.htmlGrand Adventures</a>~http://www.barrowdowns.com/fanfichobbits.aspThe Hobbits</a>~http://www.tolkientrail.comTolkien Trail</a> </center></p> __________________ Please read my fan fiction novel THE HOBBITS. Wanna hear me read Tolkien? Gilthalion's Grand Adventures!