Archaeologists excavating at the Roman fort of Vindoland, northern Britain, in 2015 discovered a 2,000-year-old wooden Roman latrine seat – the only such copy that has survived to our day.
In the area of the former Roman Empire, many stone and marble benches, but not wooden, have been preserved. The seat was found in a silted ditch full of other debris from before the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. Researchers date the find to the 2nd century CE.
The maintenance of a wooden seat can take up to 18 months. Later, the object will be on display at the Museum of the Roman Army.
Archaeologists announce that their goal is now to find a natural sponge (spongia) that the Romans used instead of toilet paper. They believe that the unique conditions offer a good chance of finding the remains.
