2,000-year old wooden toilet seat

Archaeologists recently discovered a 2,000-year old wooden toilet seat at Vindolanda Fort south of Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland that could have been used by soldiers stationed there. The artefact survived because of the mud packed tightly around it, providing oxygen-free conditions. There are many examples of stoneand marble toilet benches from across the Roman Empire but this is believed to be the only surviving wooden seat.

There are many examples of stone and marble toilet benches from across the Roman Empire but this is believed to be the only surviving wooden seat – perhaps preferred to a cold stone seat given the chilly northern location.

It was dumped from a fort which stood at the site before Hadrian’s Wall was started in the early second century.

Dr Birley said: “There is always great excitement when you find something that has never been seen before and this discovery is wonderful.

“We know a lot about Roman toilets from previous excavations at the site and from the wider Roman world which have included many fabulous Roman latrines but never before have we had the pleasure of seeing a surviving and perfectly preserved wooden seat.

Picture Credit : Google

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