Patchouli Perfume: A Signature Scent of the Roman Empire

Researchers from the University of Cordoba have identified the chemical composition of an ancient Roman perfume that was composed primarily of patchouli, an essential oil harvested from an Indian plant. The perfume was found in a crystal quartz vessel recovered from an ancient Roman site in Carmona, Spain. The vessel was discovered in a mausoleum dating back to the first century AD, and the perfume was found to be well-preserved due to an airtight seal created by the dolomite stopper coated in bitumen. The discovery sheds light on the perfuming practices of the Roman Empire and provides a link to modern-day perfuming practices.