Seat as found in pit

Some objects archaeologists find are instantly recognisable; their shape and function has not changed for thousands of years. The wet soils of Coppergate in York perfectly preserved two such objects, which are unmistakably toilet seats, from levels which date them to the 12th century.
These 900-year-old seats are both made of thick oak planks about one metre in length. They are the seats from medieval 'garderobes' which were made of a box- or panel-construction. One was found in a pit which might have been the cess pit over which it was originally used.

Treatment and analysis

Bringing it alive

Find number 1979.7, 4293, catalogue number 8949, length 977mm, width 366mm, hole 217 x 229mm; find number 1977.7, 16280, catalogue number 8950, length 1.07m, width 360mm, thickness 28mm, hole diameter c.240mm.
For more information see The Archaeology of York 17/13, Wood and Woodworking in Anglo-Scandinavian and Medieval York by Carole A. Morris.
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