Unearthing History: Ancient Bathroom Found in Jerusalem

(Photo and editing: Gil Mezuman, City of David)

A rare toilet from the First Temple period, part of an ancient royal estate from the end of the Judean kings' era (7th century BCE), has been discovered at the Armon Hanatziv promenade in Jerusalem.

In the archaeological record, only about ten toilets from the First Temple period are known today. This rare find was uncovered during an Israel Antiquities Authority excavation at the promenade that began about two years ago. The excavation revealed remains of a grand structure overlooking northwards towards the City of David and the Temple Mount, within which the toilet was found.

The toilet room was carved as a rectangular cell, with a designed toilet standing over a septic tank carved into the depths. The limestone toilet was crafted for comfortable seating, featuring a central hole.

"Private toilets were extremely rare in antiquity, and only a handful have been found to date, most of them in the City of David," explains Yaakov Billig, the excavation director from the Israel Antiquities Authority. "In fact, only the wealthy could afford such a luxury. A thousand years later, during the time of the Mishnah and Talmud, when sages defined criteria for wealth, Rabbi Yossi suggested that a rich person is 'anyone who has a toilet close to their table' (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbat, page 25b)."

Beneath the toilet, a septic pit containing a large amount of First Temple period pottery and animal bones was found. The finds were meticulously collected, including the soil fill. Research may reveal insights into the lifestyle and diet of First Temple inhabitants, as well as ancient diseases.

The excavation uncovered impressive architectural items, including artistically crafted stone capitals featuring designs typical of the First Temple era, and elegantly designed balustrades that likely adorned windows.

Additionally, archaeologists identified indications that a garden with ornamental trees, fruit trees, and aquatic plants was planted near the toilet. These elements allow researchers to reconstruct the scene of a lush and expansive estate, likely a grand palace from the First Temple period that once stood there.

According to Eli Eskozido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "It's fascinating to see how something we take for granted today, like toilets, was a luxury in the days of the Judean monarchy. Jerusalem continues to surprise. One can only imagine the breathtaking view that the lavish estate that stood here once had, overlooking biblical Jerusalem. I am convinced that the city's illustrious past will continue to reveal itself to us in the future, providing us with opportunities to experience and learn about our past."

The excavation at Armon Hanatziv is being conducted in preparation for a new tourist complex at the site. The complex is a collaborative effort of the Elad Foundation (City of David), the Ministry of Tourism, the Jerusalem Municipality, the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs, and the Jewish National Fund.