BALSAMI E UNGUENTI NEI LATE ROMAN UNGUENTARIA DA HIERAPOLIS DI FRIGIA (TURCHIA): STUDIO ARCHEOLOGICO E ANALISI CHIMICA DEI CONTENUTI

Abstract

Balms and ointments in the Late Roman unguentaria from Hierapolis of Phrygia (Turkey): An archeological study and chemical analysis of its contents This paper presents the results of a functional study carried out on Late Roman unguentaria from Hierapolis of Phrygia, integrated by the chemical characterization of organic residues of 30 stamped samples through GC-MS technique. Evidence from recent archeological and archeometric analyses suggests that LRU were manufactured in western Anatolia. This study, which focuses on the identification of chemical biomarkers, examines the formulation of the actual content of the unguentaria, together with the production techniques of balms and ointments. A key element of LRU content is represented by the resin of storax obtained from Liquidambar orientalis, a deciduous tree endemic to southwestern Turkey and the island of Rhodes. The pharmacological properties of storax resin – well-known in antiquity for its healing properties – are also discussed.