KM 8082
Household spouted jar with filter
2nd-5th century AD
Karanis, Egypt
KM 71.1.20
Water filter
10th-12th century AD
Egypt
These filters were designed to keep unwanted elements out of water intended for drinking or cooking. That approximately one thousand years separates the two filters demonstrates just how constant a problem this was in ancient Egypt. The filters would have been part of sturdy household jars, but could be quite decorative - as we see with the large fish 'straining' the water poured through it.