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Museum's ancient 'gaming' display actually primitive toilet paper
The Telegraph ^ | 10:04 AM GMT 18 Jan 2013

Posted on 01/21/2013 11:34:48 PM PST by ApplegateRanch

The Roman artefacts, deliberately shaped into flat discs, have been in the collection at Fishbourne Roman Palace since the 1960s.
And up until now the museum thought the items were used for early games, such as draughts.
But, a British Medical Journal article has now proposed they have a very different function.
The broken pieces range in size from 1 inch to 4 inches in diameter and were excavated near to the museum in Chichester, West Sussex in 1960.
It is well publicised that Romans used sponges mounted on sticks and dipped in vinegar as an alternative to toilet paper.
Yet, the idea these ceramic discs might also have been used is a revelation.
[snip]
"The pieces had always been catalogued as broken gaming pieces but I was never particularly happy with that explanation.
"But when the article produced the theory they were used to wipe people's bums I thought it was hilarious and it just appealed to me.
"I love the idea we've had these in the museum for 50 years being largely ignored and now they are suddenly engaging items you can relate to."

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; History; Science
KEYWORDS: ggg; godsgravesglyphs; romanempire
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To: ApplegateRanch


21 posted on 01/22/2013 4:38:21 AM PST by Flick Lives (We're going to be just like the old Soviet Union, but with free cell phones!)
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To: ApplegateRanch

To bad the romans didn’t know about corn cobs.


22 posted on 01/22/2013 4:48:31 AM PST by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: ApplegateRanch

There is a similar system in Las Vegas I do believe. There is more than one way of getting wiped out there.


23 posted on 01/22/2013 9:36:13 AM PST by Wordkraft (Remember who the Collaborators are.)
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To: SunkenCiv; Revolting cat!; Slings and Arrows
flat shells?


24 posted on 01/22/2013 11:14:08 AM PST by a fool in paradise (America 2013 - STUCK ON STUPID)
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To: knarf

You wipe them off with toilet paper of course. :=)


25 posted on 01/22/2013 11:23:39 AM PST by Bob
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To: ApplegateRanch; a fool in paradise

 GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach
Thanks ApplegateRanch and a fool in paradise.

Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.


26 posted on 01/23/2013 4:12:09 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)
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To: Slings and Arrows; Vince Ferrer

Sheryl Crowe decries the wasteful use of three seashells. Or sponges and vinegar. Or whatever.


27 posted on 01/23/2013 4:17:57 AM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: Larry Lucido

Hygine is so mainstream.


28 posted on 01/23/2013 6:02:52 AM PST by Slings and Arrows (You can't have IngSoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
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To: Bob; Revolting cat!; Slings and Arrows

As the bear inquired of the rabbit, “Does p**p stick to your fur?”
.
.
.
.
And then he picked up the rabbit...


29 posted on 01/23/2013 11:42:57 AM PST by a fool in paradise (America 2013 - STUCK ON STUPID)
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