Decoding the Fragrance Secrets of Ancient Roman Perfume

Researchers from the University of Cordoba have identified the components of a 2,000-year-old Roman perfume discovered in Carmona, Spain. The perfume, found in a sealed vessel in an affluent family's mausoleum, was based on olive oil and contained patchouli, an Indian-origin scent previously unknown in Roman times. This groundbreaking research marks the first time the composition of a Roman perfume over 2,000 years old has been identified, shedding light on ancient aromas and the use of patchouli in the Roman Empire.