Researchers from the University of Cambridge have identified evidence that ancient Jewish communities may have suffered from a severe intestinal infection. The findings appear in a study published in Parasitology and are based on material recovered from excavations near Jerusalem, south of the Old City. The work centers on two ancient toilet structures, unearthed at different sites, that date back to periods when Jerusalem was a flourishing and densely inhabited capital in the broader Judean realm.
The team analyzed preserved stool samples found beneath the floors of the facilities, noting that the deposits originate from the seventh century BCE. This era marks a time when the city served as a central hub for governance, culture, and trade. The researchers detected genetic traces of Giardia duodenalis, a single celled parasite that has long been a recognized cause of dysentery in humans. Dysentery refers to intestinal infections that produce diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and dehydration, and it can be dangerous especially for young children. The discovery represents one of the earliest documented human infections with this parasite, offering a rare glimpse into ancient disease dynamics and public health challenges.
Both toilets share an almost identical carved stone design. Each features a shallow, curved seating area with a large central opening for elimination, complemented by a front opening used for urination. The precise craftsmanship suggests these installations were part of well constructed facilities rather than simple pits.
The senior author notes that pit toilets in this historical period were unusual and typically associated with affluent households. One of the specimens was located in a richly decorated mansion within the Armon Hanatziv area, surrounded by an ornate garden. Excavations at this site occurred in 2019, and the context is believed to reflect an Assyrian influence lasting for about fifty years in the mid seventh century BCE. Researchers infer that this setting aligns with a royal or high-status residence during the reign of a prominent local ruler, designated in historical records as Manasseh.
A second discovery came from Ahiel’s House, a seven room dwelling linked to an upper class family of the time. The construction date for this residence remains uncertain, with some estimates placing it in the eighth century BCE. The paired finds from these two locations together provide a valuable snapshot of sanitation practices, domestic architecture, and urban life in a political and economic heartland of ancient Judea.
The study illustrates how careful analysis of refuse and waste can illuminate patterns of daily life in antiquity. It also highlights the resilience of ancient communities in maintaining structured living spaces that supported both privacy and social complexity. The research team emphasizes that the association of high status environments with sophisticated sanitation features underscores the intertwined nature of health, wealth, and architectural design in early urban societies. These insights enrich the broader historical narrative of Jerusalem and its surrounding regions during a period of rapid change and growth, offering a more nuanced understanding of how communities managed health risks long before modern medicine.
In summary, the Cambridge-led investigation documents a remarkable archaeological and paleopathological finding. The presence of Giardia duodenalis in remains tied to elite domestic settings confirms that intestinal infections affected people across social strata in ancient times. The evidence from the two well-preserved toilets near Jerusalem provides a rare, tangible link between ancient sanitation, social status, and public health in the seventh century BCE. This work contributes to a growing field that blends archaeology, microbiology, and historical inquiry to reconstruct how earlier populations confronted disease and maintained city life amid environmental and political challenges.