Alexander Polyhistor's Animal Fiber Sponge

Origin
Alexander Polyhistor (Sometime 1BC) was a Greek scholar who was enslaved and prisoned by the Roman during the Mithridatic War. Through his entire life the majority of writings were lost but those remaining she valuable light on antiquarian and eastern Mediterranean subjects. Eventually he was rescued and became free. All that time Polyhsitor had three items on him, a writing tool, a parchment and an animal fiber sponge. Accounts of other slaves said that went Polyhistor was forced into the mines he held the sponge against his face. Others laughed at him, however he survived the mines while others succumbed to miner's lung. The fire that killed him was intense however his wife managed to survive with help of the sponge.

Effects
Sponges can naturally be used as a quick gas mask to prevent against breathing in dangerous fumes and smoke. It's not suggested to be used for longer than a few minutes though. Helping keep Polyhistor alive this artifact seemed to allow the user to breath in filtered, clear air for as long as needed. Tests need to be done to see how long.