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- Roman glass bottle yields chemical signs of human feces
- What this tells us about Roman health, beauty, and ritual practices
- Why applying feces could have been harmful — and how science sees it differently today
- Where researchers are focusing FMT research today
- Why the Bergama find matters to archaeology and medicine
Modern medicine sometimes looks back at the past and discovers surprising echoes — none stranger than the recent archaeological finding that suggests ancient Romans kept human feces in small glass bottles. It’s a discovery that collapses the distance between ancient remedies and today’s cutting-edge treatments, like fecal microbiota transplants (FMT).
The tiny glass vessel, the kind of cosmetic container archaeologists call an unguentarium, carried more than scent or perfume: chemical traces inside point to human waste. The find forces a fresh look at how Romans mixed cosmetics, cures and ritual practice — and how some ideas about healing have a much longer history than we thought.
Roman glass bottle yields chemical signs of human feces
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Researchers working with materials housed at the Bergama Archaeology Museum in western Turkey analyzed a second-century CE unguentarium and found a dark residue clinging to its inner walls. Chemical testing revealed biomarkers consistent with human fecal matter, along with aromatic compounds that likely served as masking agents.
The results, reported in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, provide the first direct chemical evidence that humans stored feces in these kinds of containers. While ancient texts and medical recipes have long hinted that excrement was used in treatments, this is tangible confirmation: the practice wasn’t only written about — it left chemical fingerprints.
What this tells us about Roman health, beauty, and ritual practices
Far from neat categories of “cosmetic” versus “medical,” Roman daily life often blended grooming, health care and ritual. Containers like the unguentarium could have held perfumes, oils, medicinal pastes — and, now we know, fecal-based substances used for therapeutic purposes.
Researchers argue the discovery highlights how porous the lines were between treatments meant to heal and substances used for beauty or ceremony. In some recorded recipes, human excrement appears alongside herbs and animal fats, suggesting practitioners believed in its curative properties. That belief likely came from a mixture of empirical observation, superstition, and the symbolic power attached to bodily substances.
Why applying feces could have been harmful — and how science sees it differently today
Applying fecal material to wounds or skin infections in antiquity probably had mixed results. Rather than disinfecting, such applications could introduce pathogens and worsen the condition. Archaeological confirmation of usage helps explain historical reports of failing or dangerous treatments.
Today, however, the relationship between stool and medicine has a very different face. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a clinical procedure where processed stool from a healthy donor is introduced into a patient’s gut to restore a beneficial microbial community. The method is used successfully for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections and is being investigated for other gastrointestinal disorders.
How modern FMT compares to ancient practices
- Ancient use: Unregulated, topical or oral applications based on folk remedies and written recipes.
- Modern FMT: Performed under medical protocols, with donor screening, standardized preparation, and clinical oversight.
- Risk profile: Ancient approaches likely carried higher infectious risk; contemporary FMT reduces risk through testing but still requires careful monitoring.
Where researchers are focusing FMT research today
Scientists are exploring whether restoring gut microbiota can help with a range of conditions. Current lines of investigation include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): trials are testing whether microbiome rebalancing eases symptoms for the 10–15% of people estimated to be affected in the U.S.
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis): pilots to assess benefits and durability of response.
- Metabolic and immune conditions: early-stage research into links between microbiome composition and wider systemic health.
Why the Bergama find matters to archaeology and medicine
Beyond the novelty, the find sharpens how we interpret ancient texts and material culture. It lends concrete support to written sources that described excrement in therapeutic contexts, and it forces curators and historians to reconsider the intended uses of small cosmetic and medicinal vessels.
The chemical signature preserved inside a small glass bottle opens a window into everyday Roman practices — pragmatic, messy, and sometimes hazardous — and reminds us that the story of healing is rarely linear.
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William Anderson is a multimedia producer specializing in videos, podcasts, and interactive galleries. With five years of immersive content creation, he turns information into a rich audio‑visual experience. His storytelling skills draw you directly into the heart of every story, on any platform.
I heard about Romans using poop for stuff, like, seriously? Imagine going to the doctor and getting a prescription for feces! It mustve been a real party back then. Science is wild, man.
I mean, whoda thunk feces would be the talk of the town back in Ancient Rome, right? Can you imagine walking out of the docs office with a poop prescription? Talk about a wild time! Science really has its own peculiar ways, man. Goes to show, historys got some seriously funky surprises up its sleeve!
Yo, lemme get this straight… Ancient Romans really thought rubbing feces on themselves was a good idea? Sounds like a crappy beauty routine. Glad science has come a long way since then!
I mean, who wouldve thought ancient Romans were out here smearing feces on themselves for health? Wild times, man. Makes you wonder what future generations will think of our wellness trends, you know?
Im no Roman, but using feces as medicine? Thats… a choice. Can you imagine the smell? Ill take a hard pass on that ancient remedy, thanks. Modern science has its perks, after all!
Oh man, ancient Romans really took waste not, want not to the extreme, huh? Using feces as medicine? I mean, talk about a crappy remedy! Can you imagine the doctors prescription: Take two poops and call me in the morning? Wild times, I guess.
Haha, totally! Those Romans were really on another level with their remedies, werent they? I mean, who wouldve thought poop could be the answer to everything back in the day? Can you imagine being the poor soul having to follow that prescription? Talk about a stinky situation! But hey, I guess desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Wild times indeed!
Man, the Romans were wildin with their feces remedies! Can you imagine the smell? But hey, if it worked for them… Maybe we should reconsider our modern meds, huh?
Wait, so ancient Romans really smeared feces on themselves for health and beauty? Yikes, talk about extreme skincare! Can you imagine the smell? Glad science has better ideas now. Ancient beauty secrets, more like ancient gross-out secrets!
Oh man, the things folks did back in the day for beauty, right? Smearing poop is a whole new level of dedication! Can you imagine the stench? Thank goodness for modern skincare! Ancient beauty secrets indeed, more like a recipe for a serious case of the gross-outs!
I remember reading about Roman remedies, but feces? Ew, thats a whole new level! Can you imagine going to the doctor and being prescribed a dose of… well, you know. Thank goodness for modern medicine!
I mean, I get it, ancient Romans were wild, but feces as medicine? Thats next-level crazy! Imagine going to the doctor and getting a prescription for… well, you know. Thank goodness for modern science, am I right?
Oh man, Romans really went all out with their remedies, huh? Imagine telling your doctor you need a feces prescription! Glad science has steered clear of that one. Ancient times were wild!
Whoa, hold up! Romans really believed poop was a cure? Talk about desperate times calling for desperate measures! I mean, Ive heard of DIY remedies, but this takes it to a whole new level. Glad weve got better options nowadays, am I right?
Dang, talk about ancient medicine being wild! Cure with poop? Sounds like they were truly reaching for anything back then. Can you imagine being the Roman doc pitching that idea? Alright folks, hear me out, this dungs gonna fix ya right up! Thank the stars for modern meds, right?
I once thought my grandmas folk remedies were wild, but Romans using poop as medicine? Thats a whole new level of what were they thinking? Glad science has upgraded since then!
Oh man, I hear you! Grandmas teas vs. Roman poop potions? Talk about a glow-up in the medicine game! Imagine sitting in a Roman pharmacy, debating between a dollop of dung or a sip of something brewed by good ol granny. Science sure did us a solid with those upgrades!
Man, Romans were wild! Using feces as medicine? Thats some next-level stuff. Can you imagine going to the doctor and getting a prescription for poop? Ancient times were truly a different world.
Wait, ancient Romans used feces as medicine? Thats some wild stuff! Imagine going to the doctor back then, and instead of a prescription, they hand you a jar of poop. Talk about a stinky treatment plan!
Oh, totally! Can you imagine the look on someones face back then? Oh, youre not feeling well? Here, have a spoonful of… poop! *insert horrified expression* Talk about a crappy treatment plan, literally! Ancient times were wild, man.
Whoa, ancient Romans really went all out with their remedies, didnt they? I mean, using feces as medicine? Imagine being the first person to suggest that… Hey guys, Ive got this crazy idea involving poop! Wild times back then, I guess.
Man, Romans were wildin with their remedies. Can you imagine someone back then recommending a feces face mask to clear up your skin? Ill stick to my modern skincare routine, thank you very much!