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Unlocking the Aromas of the Past: Researchers Discover Ancient Roman Perfume Composition
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the University of Cordoba have unveiled the chemical composition of perfumes used in ancient Rome dating back 2,000 years. The base was a plant that originated in India.
Smell — along with taste — is one of man’s two chemical senses. It is one of the most important abilities to perceive stimuli. In prehistoric times, it played a key role in the context of survival. Indeed, it was with the help of smell that our ancient ancestors recognized food, distinguished between toxic substances, and studied the tracks of predators.
A brief history of perfume
Smell was also important in social relationships. Smell was so important in the lives of early humans that some hominid species (including the Denisovans) boasted a much more sensitive sense of smell than Homo sapiens.
With the development of mankind and new civilizations, smell became not only a “life clue”, but also a cultural element. In ancient times, people began to create special substances to intensify the perceived stimuli. This is the case of perfumes, which, however, were not always used only to improve one’s own smell.
