Didn't the Romans use a shared (!) sponge on a stick? And I've often wondered what Eskimos used to do in sub-zero temperatures when they only had an igloo for a home and no toilet paper.
You made me laugh Steve, "...first check for thistles.."
On holiday in Tunisia, we were intrigued when we found that the toilet beside the pool had no toilet paper, but on a hook was a clever little pressure-hose with a nozzle. Husband was ecstatic, me not so much...