Photo: Twitter / @cityofdavid
Archaeologists say 2700-year-old toilet in Jerusalem belonged to the wealthy
A rare toilet, which is more than 2700 years old and dates back to the Days of the First Temple, was discovered in Jerusalem. At the time, a toilet was considered one of the most luxurious items.
Photo: Twitter / @cityofdavid
Israeli authorities announced the discovery of a rare ancient toilet in Jerusalem on Tuesday, 5 October. Archaeologists said the toilet, which is more than 2700 years old, is quite a remarkable find as private bathrooms were a luxury during ancient times.
ANCIENT TOILET FOUND
A smooth, carved and limestone toilet was found inside a rectangular cabin – which was part of a mansion overlooking what is now the Old City – was discovered, according to the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The toilet was designed to be comfortable during use and has a deep septic tank dug underneath, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Yaakov Billig, the director of the excavation, said a private toilet and cubicle was a very rare find in antiquity and only a few others have been found to date. “Only the rich could afford toilets,” said Billing. It is said that more than a thousand years after the period of this toilet, Rabbi Yose said “Who is rich, is whoever has a toilet near his table.”
Animal bones and pottery from the First Temple period were found in the septic tank. The remains could shed light on the lifestyle and diet of the people alive during that time, as well as the diseases that afflicted them.
Other evidence of wealth was also discovered – archaeologists found stone capitals and columns and even a nearby garden with orchards and aquatic plants.
