Ancient Roman Medicine: A Stinky Secret Revealed in a 1,900-Year-Old Bottle
In a discovery that might make you wrinkle your nose, new research suggests that ancient Romans may have turned to an unlikely source for their medical treatments: human faeces. Scientists unearthed “dark brownish flakes” within a remarkably preserved, long and slender bottle, a shape often associated with perfumes or cosmetics, in the ancient city of Pergamon, located near modern-day Izmir in western Turkey. The bottle, sealed with clay, has remained undisturbed for an astonishing 1,900 years.
Upon closer examination and testing, the research team, spearheaded by archaeologist Professor Cenker Atila of Sivas Cumhuriyet University, confirmed that the mysterious flakes were indeed human poo. This finding provides rare, tangible evidence for a practice long hinted at in historical texts.
The Olfactory Element: More Than Just Medicine
One might immediately wonder about the aroma. Researchers noted the presence of aromatic compounds, including carvacrol, a substance commonly found in herbs like thyme. This suggests a dual purpose for the concoction: not only as a potential medicinal agent but also as an ancient air freshener, designed to mask any unpleasant odours. This concept of “olfactory pharmacology” highlights the intricate and sometimes surprising approaches to health and well-being in the Roman era.
A Historical Precedent: Poo as a Prescription
While the idea of using faeces for healing might seem bizarre by today’s standards, it wasn’t an alien concept to ancient physicians. Prominent figures like Galen of Pergamon, Hippocrates, and Pliny the Elder, who were influential medical authorities of their time, frequently recommended animal dung for a range of ailments. Historical medical texts indicate that animal faeces were often prescribed to address issues such as inflammation, infections, and even reproductive disorders.
The recent discovery in Pergamon adds a crucial layer of material evidence to this textual information. While ancient sources make it clear that human faeces were also used, particularly as topical treatments for inflammation and infection, direct physical confirmation has been exceptionally scarce.
“Despite this wealth of textual evidence, direct material confirmation of fecal-based remedies in Roman medicine remains exceptionally rare,” stated archaeologist Cenker Atila and his colleagues in their published paper in the Journal of Archaeological Science.
Blurring the Lines: Medicine, Cosmetics, and Magic
The Roman approach to health and personal care was often holistic, with less rigid distinctions between different applications. As the researchers pointed out, “Ancient sources make clear that the boundaries between cosmetic and medicinal usage were fluid, and that unguents often blurred distinctions between healing, hygiene, and magic.” This suggests that substances, even those we might find unappealing today, were integrated into daily life in ways that served multiple purposes, from enhancing appearance to treating illness.
This discovery in Pergamon not only sheds light on ancient Roman medical practices but also underscores the ingenuity and resourcefulness of past societies in utilising available materials for their benefit. It serves as a potent reminder that what we consider conventional today may have had very different, and sometimes surprising, origins. The careful preservation of this ancient bottle and its contents offers a unique window into a world where the line between the medicinal and the mundane was far more porous than we might imagine.
