Rush Floors Were Full of Dropped Food and Animal Droppings

Instead of rugs or tile, many medieval homes had rush floors—layers of herbs, grass, and straw meant to insulate and freshen the air. But over time, they became traps for spilled food, animal waste, and general filth.

Rather than removing the old layer, people often just added more on top. Some floors remained untouched for years, turning homes into compost piles with walls.

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