Specialists involved in the Herculaneum Conservation Project have excavated the ancient sewers of the city and uncovered the largest deposit of organic material ever found in the Roman world.

Layers of excrement that lay buried by volcanic mud for centuries are giving experts new clues about the diet and health of the city’s ancient inhabitants.

Project manager Jane Thompson told ANSA the team has recovered some 750 large sacks of human excrement.

You know you’re an archaeological (or historical as the case may be) geek when shit is cool.

(Source: archaeology)