Revealing the ingredients of 2,000-year-old Roman perfume

A newly analyzed ancient perfume bottle provides valuable information about the lavish lifestyle and exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Rome.

Two thousand years ago, in the Roman city of Carmo (today Carmona), in the province of Seville, someone placed a bottle of perfume in an urn. Photo: @University of Cordoba.

This perfume bottle was originally made of blown glass, and its structural features, intricate carving techniques, and hardness make it of great archaeological value. Photo: @University of Cordoba.

Now, the FQM346 research team at the University of Cordoba, led by Professor of Organic Chemistry José Rafael Ruiz Arrebola, in collaboration with the City of Carmona, has described the chemical composition of this ancient perfume. Photo: @University of Cordoba.

Organic Chemistry Professor José Rafael Ruiz Arrebola stressed that the use of dolomite (a type of carbon) as a stopper for the bottle was the key to the excellent preservation of the perfume residue inside. Photo: @University of Cordoba.

To determine the composition of perfumes, various measurement techniques have been used, such as X-ray diffraction, gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry, and many others. Photo: @University of Cordoba.

In terms of perfume, two components have been identified: a base or binder, which allows the scent to hold, and the essence itself, which is made from patchouli. This research marks a breakthrough in the field of ancient Roman perfume exploration, involving the use of patchouli as a scent oil. Photo: @University of Cordoba.

Dear Readers, please watch the video : "Opening" the 3,000-year-old mummy of an Egyptian Pharaoh: "Shocking" real appearance and shocking secrets. Video source: @VGT TV - Life.

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