Ancient Roman Medical Practice Confirmed: Human Feces and Fragrance Discovered

Researchers have discovered chemical evidence confirming an ancient medical recipe involving human feces and fragrance. This finding provides tangible proof of medical practices described more than two millennia ago by Galen, a Greek physician of ancient Rome.

This finding provides tangible proof of medical practices described more than two millennia ago by Galen, a Greek physician of ancient Rome.

The research, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, involved analyzing residues from ancient Roman vessels known as unguentaria, traditionally considered perfume bottles. The project was initiated by archaeologist Atila Cenker and medical historian Rana Çelebi, who later collaborated with chemist Ilker Demirbolat.

The Discovery: Unguentaria Reveal Unexpected Contents

The bottles, approximately 2,000 years old, are housed at the Bergama Archaeology Museum in western Turkey, the city where Galen studied medicine. Out of nine samples, one bottle contained human feces along with trace amounts of aromatic compounds, likely from thyme or oregano.

Scientific Proof for Galen's Ancient Texts

Galen's writings mentioned the use of human feces in medicine, often combined with aromatics to mask odors. This discovery provides the first scientific proof supporting these ancient texts.

Maria Perla Colombini, a professor emeritus of analytical chemistry not involved in the research, acknowledged the rigor of the analysis. However, she suggested other potential uses, such as cosmetics, could not be entirely ruled out.