Ancient toilets unearthed in Jerusalem shed light on dysentery outbreaks in Old Testament era

Dysentery, characterized by intestinal infectious diseases caused by parasites and bacteria, results in symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and dehydration. It poses a particularly grave danger, especially to young children. But how did dysentery spread during ancient times?

According to Mitchell, the contamination of drinking water and food by feces, combined with factors like overcrowding, heat, flies, and limited water availability during summers, likely contributed to its widespread occurrence in the early cities of the ancient Near East.

The fecal samples analyzed in this study were obtained from the sediment beneath toilets discovered in two building complexes located south of the Old City of Jerusalem.

These latrines date back to the 7th century BCE when Jerusalem served as the capital of Judah. It is worth noting that during this period, Judah was under the control of the Assyrian Empire, a vast empire stretching from the Levant to the Persian Gulf.

Remnants of a plague found deep within 

Both toilets had intricately carved stone seats with a shallow curved surface for sitting, a central hole for defecation, and an adjacent hole at the front for male urination.

Mitchell explains that toilets with cesspits from that time were relatively rare and usually reserved for the elite. 

One of the toilets was found in a lavishly decorated estate called Armon ha-Nativ, believed to be from the days of King Manasseh in the mid-7th century.

The other toilet was located in a domestic building known as the House of Ahiel, which housed an upper-class family. While the exact date of its construction is uncertain, some estimates place it around the 8th century BCE.

The ancient medical texts from Mesopotamia, dating back to the first and second millennium BCE, describe the prevalence of diarrhea in the region. One such text mentions symptoms of diarrhea after consuming bread and beer. 

These written sources provide valuable historical context, but modern techniques were required to identify the specific pathogens involved.

The team employed a bio-molecular technique called "ELISA" to analyze the decomposed faces from the biblical period. This technique utilizes antibodies to detect proteins produced by specific single-celled organisms.

The discovery of Giardia duodenalis in ancient Jerusalem not only adds to our understanding of the health challenges faced by ancient civilizations but also highlights the importance of sanitation and hygiene throughout history.

It's a remarkable glimpse into the lives of our ancestors and a testament to the advancements in scientific techniques that enable us to uncover hidden stories from the past.