By Shuchi Giridhar
Israel, Oct 7: A team of Israeli archaeologists discovered a 2,700 year old toilet in the remains of an ancient royal estate located in Jerusalem. This find is quite rare as in those days, only the wealthy and the fortunate had the luxury of a toilet. Very few sites with private toilets have been found in Jerusalem and Israel until now.
The toilet is made out of limestone with a very comfy seat and a hole in the middle. It is built over a deep septic tank (septic tank is where the water goes after flushing). The toilet was found in a rectangular cabin which might have served as an ancient bathroom. Thirty to forty balls, which may have been used to hold air fresheners in the form of incense sticks or fragrant oils, were also kept in the cabin.
Hoping to learn about the lifestyle, diseases, and diets of the time, archaeologists also collected samples of animal bones, pottery, and some soil found in the septic tank. On their way out the team also found proof of a garden filled with ornamental trees, fruit trees, and aquatic plants. Though this isn’t the first time that archaeologists have taken interest in the toilet arrangements of our ancestors. The archaeological records also holds a couple hints of whatever our ancestors might have used as toilet paper long ago.
