>>513983913>>513983420So way back when the city folk would shit in a pot and then later empty it in the street. Eventually what we would consider a toilet would be invented. Romans had access to it and there's proof of their existence in Pompeii (around 80AD) still. Water beneath would then carry it away. Castles and other defenses would be set up so that one could shit and have it roll down a hill. Thus the phrase "shit rolls downhill." Or into the moat, but that's not as fun.
When knowledge of that was lost or wasn't accessible, or they were in their home, they poop in a jar and later deposit the poop in a stream or DESIGNATED SHIT DUMPING AREA. Those in the country just shat in bushes or fields.
Of note, piss was kept to be used in leather making. Thus the phrase "can't afford a pot to piss in." This was common until mid 19th century.