What is xylospongium?

Xylospongium is a term used to refer to a sponge-on-a-stick used as a tool for personal hygiene in ancient Greece and Rome. The sponge was usually made from the soft and absorbent inner part of the sea sponge, and the stick was typically made from wood or metal.

In ancient times, xylospongiums were commonly used in public toilets and bathhouses for cleaning oneself after using the toilet or bathing. The stick allowed the user to reach difficult areas and maintain cleanliness.

The use of xylospongiums eventually fell out of favor as more modern sanitation practices and materials became available. Today, they are primarily of interest to historians and archaeologists as artifacts that provide insight into ancient hygiene practices.