The first concrete evidence that ancient Romans used feces as medicine has been discovered in Turkey.
According to Sciencealert, historical records indicated that some doctors in ancient Rome utilized animal or human feces in treatments. It wasn’t surprising that healers of the time, such as Hippocrates, Pliny, and Galen, recommended fecal matter as a remedy. Animal feces were generally suggested for inflammation, infection, and even reproductive issues.
However, the first physical evidence has now emerged from Turkey. Archaeologists identified chemical traces of human feces within a 1,900-year-old bottle.
The bottle was located in the Bergama Archaeology Museum in Bergama district of İzmir. Chemical analysis by a three-person research team also revealed aromatic compounds derived from thyme, likely added to reduce odor.
According to a paper authored by Prof. Dr. Cenker Atila of Sivas Cumhuriyet University and his team, the finding suggests the human waste was used for topical treatments – applied directly to the affected area – or in aroma pharmacology, which involves the physical or chemical effects of airborne substances on the nasal receptors.
The paper states, “Ancient sources show that the boundaries between cosmetic and medical use were blurred, and ointments blurred the distinction between healing, hygiene, and magic.”
While similar fecal treatments continued throughout the Middle Ages, the practice largely disappeared by the 18th century. Feces were largely dismissed due to the risk of dangerous pathogens – microorganisms capable of causing disease. Today, fecal transplants are sometimes used in specific medical cases, and the potential benefits of fecal matter are being explored through research.
For example, a German experiment found that adding feces from a young mouse to the gut of an older mouse reversed age-related deterioration.
The research was published in ‘Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports’.
