A recent archaeological discovery in Turkey suggests that Romans utilized human feces for medicinal purposes, marking the first direct evidence of this practice.
Archaeologists in Turkey have made a groundbreaking discovery: a 1.9 thousand-year-old vessel containing human feces, which serves as the first direct evidence that the Romans utilized feces for medicinal purposes. This finding comes from a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, expanding our knowledge beyond the ancient texts that previously documented such practices. The site in question is near Bergama, adjacent to the ruins of the ancient city of Pergamon, where the contents of this vessel were discovered.
Cenker Atila, an archaeologist specializing in ancient perfumes from Cumhuriyet University in Sivas, along with his team, examined a total of seven different containers from the site. While most contained inconclusive materials, one vessel yielded significant results, reinforcing theories put forth by classical texts regarding the medicinal use of feces in Roman times. Additionally, this study highlights the ongoing collaboration between archaeology and historical texts, which helps paint a more detailed picture of ancient medical practices.
The implications of this discovery are twofold: it not only enriches our understanding of Roman medicine and their approach to healing but also raises questions about the cultural attitudes towards sanitation and hygiene in ancient times. As research continues, we may uncover more about how such unusual materials were integrated into daily life and medical practices of the Romans.
