The true impact of our modern sensibilities to our everyday lives compared to what others had in the past is often understated. The sheer level of accessibility and ease of use brought about by the advent of online shopping, for instance, is really made possible by the relentless efforts from the global shipping industry in making sure goods flow freely—and fast—between people.
However, many believe that no other modern luxury is as crucial to us in our modern culture as the toilet.
Yes, after the first modern iteration of the modern toilet was designed sometime in the late 1700s, the toilet has since become a crucial part of our everyday lives—whether we like to admit it or not. Truth be told, the history of the seat that humbles us all goes back much, much further than that. In fact, ancient toilets go back thousands of years to the very first ones in the ancient city of Mesopotamia.
Now, new findings from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) reveal what appears to be a 2,700-year-old toilet exclusive to the ancient rich. The toilet itself was unearthed near the Beit Shatz tourist complex in Jerusalem. More information about the find can be viewed in the Israel Antiquities Authority video on Facebook about the find.
Said IAA director of the excavations Dr. Yaakov Billig: “A private toilet cubicle was very rare in antiquity, and only a few were found to date, most of them in the City of David.”
The toilet itself is actually made of limestone with a hole cut out in its center. A septic tank was found underneath the toilet itself, which also contained ancient pottery and animal bones from the time when it was last used, which would have been around the First Temple Period some 1,200-586 BCE. Dr. Billig and team mentioned that “only the rich could afford toilets” at the time.
Surrounding the find were remnants of architectural columns and capitals, which to the team implied that the toilet was on an open space with windows when it was last used. This is further cemented by the find of several pieces of evidence linked with the presence of an ornamental garden, complete with aquatic plants.
To the team, “all of these allow us to recreate a picture of an extensive and lush mansion, apparently — a magnificent palace from the days of the First Temple that stood on the site.” “Their investigation may teach us about the lifestyles and diets of the First Temple people and ancient diseases.”
Said IAA director-general Dr. Eli Eskozido: “It is fascinating to see how something obvious to us today, such as toilets, was a luxury item during the reign of the kings of Judah. Jerusalem never ceases to amaze. […] One can only imagine the breathtaking view. I am convinced that the glorious past of the city will continue to be revealed to us in the future and will allow us to experience and learn about our past.”
(For more Jerusalem finds, check out the discovery of an ancient quarry, which was dated to the Second Temple Period.)
References
- Sci-News. (2021, October 8). 2,700-Year-Old Private Toilet Unearthed in Israel. Sci-News. http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/ancient-private-toilet-10150.html
