Archeologists Ask: Ceramic Pot Or Portable Toilet?

A chamber pot found in situ at a 5th-century Roman villa. Experts showed that it contained remains of urine and feces, as well as whipworm eggs, thus confirming its use by ancient Romans. (Roger Wilson)

Parasite eggs found in ancient ceramics are helping archeologists identify chamber pots used by Romans centuries ago.

Pots and ceramic containers left by Romans have been found at sites throughout what was once an empire that stretched from the British Isles to North Africa and the Middle East. Until now, experts were stumped by the crusty residue found in some of these pots.