A Roman glass vessel, unearthed from the ancient city of Pergamon, has yielded a remarkable scientific discovery, providing tangible evidence of medical practices described in ancient texts. For centuries, the writings of physicians like Galen of Pergamon, a renowned second-century healer who advised emperors and authored influential medical treatises, have offered glimpses into the remedies of the Roman world. These remedies often involved a surprising array of ingredients, including plants, minerals, and animals. Some were complex concoctions that have since fallen out of favour, while others, astonishingly, incorporated animal dung and faeces, often blended with fragrant herbs and oils. While ancient writers like Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder documented similar therapeutic approaches, these accounts remained confined to historical texts.
Unearthing Ancient Pharmacy in Pergamon
Now, a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports has brought these ancient descriptions to life. Researchers in Türkiye have identified chemical traces within a second-century CE Roman glass vessel, excavated in Pergamon, that are consistent with a faeces-based preparation. Pergamon, now known as Bergama in modern western Türkiye, was a significant hub for medicine within the Roman Empire, boasting a prominent healing sanctuary. It was also the birthplace of the influential physician Galen himself.
The object of this scientific scrutiny is a small, slender glass bottle, an unguentarium, a type of vessel commonly associated with perfumes or cosmetic oils and frequently discovered in ancient tombs. However, the analysis revealed that this particular unguentarium did not contain fragrant scents.
Laboratory Revelations: The Chemical Signature of Ancient Medicine
Scientists meticulously scraped a brown residue from the clay-sealed vessel. This sample was then subjected to analysis using gas chromatography, a sophisticated technique employed to separate organic compounds while maintaining strict contamination controls. The results were astonishing.
The analysis detected coprostanol, a compound that is a direct byproduct of human digestion and is widely recognised as a reliable indicator of human faecal matter. Further sterol indicators corroborated this identification, solidifying the presence of a faecal component.
In a parallel testing phase, the research team identified carvacrol, a chemical compound strongly associated with thyme. This finding points to the inclusion of a potent aromatic ingredient in the preparation. Additionally, the study reported the presence of traces of olive oil, suggesting a base or carrier for the active ingredients.
Bridging the Gap: From Text to Tangible Evidence
Dr. Cenker Atila of Sivas Cumhuriyet University, the lead author of the study, commented on the significance of the findings. “Faecal-based pharmacological treatments are widely attested in Greco-Roman medical texts,” he stated. “However, until now, there had been no archaeological evidence of this practice.”
In discussions with media outlets, Dr. Atila described the alignment of chemical data with ancient textual descriptions as an unexpected and profound outcome of the research.
Reshaping Historical Perceptions
The implications of this discovery extend beyond a single artefact. Nicholas Purcell, a professor emeritus of ancient history at the University of Oxford, highlighted how these findings help to connect literary sources with physical evidence. He suggested that the study could prompt scholars to re-evaluate the classification of similar vessels.
Historically, small glass bottles recovered from ancient graves have often been categorised as luxury goods or containers for personal adornments. This discovery, however, suggests that some of these seemingly decorative items may have actually held prepared medicines, offering a more pragmatic view of their function.
More broadly, this research underscores the immense value of residue analysis in uncovering historical practices that leave minimal visible traces. By delving into the chemical composition of ancient artefacts, scientists can reshape our understanding of daily life, medical treatments, and the sophisticated knowledge systems of the Roman world. The study serves as a powerful reminder that history is not just written in books, but also preserved in the very materials of the past.
