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Notes on Late Roman Unguentaria from Hierapolis in Phrygia (Turkey): a Contribution to the Study of the Contents

Year 2021, , 57 - 73, 31.12.2021
https://doi.org/10.54577/lycus.1030720

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a functional study of Late Roman unguentaria from Hierapolis of Phrygia, which includes the chemical characterisation of organic residues found in 30 stamped vessels by means of the GC-MS technique. Evidence from recent archaeological and archaeometric analyses suggests that LRUs were manufactured in western Anatolia.
The study, centred on the identification of chemical biomarkers, aims to understand the formulation of the actual contents of the unguentaria, together with the production techniques used for balms and ointments. A key substance present in the LRUs analysed is storax resin, obtained from Liquidambar orientalis, a deciduous tree endemic to south-western Turkey and the island of Rhodes. The pharmacological characteristics of storax resin – well known in antiquity for its healing properties – are also discussed.

References

  • Grazia Semeraro - Full Professor of Classical Archaeology, Dept of Cultural Heritage, University of Salento, Lecce. grazia.semeraro@unisalento.it. ORCID: 0000-0002-0027-6280.
  • Maria Valentina Aquilino - Ph.D. Graduate, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Salento, Lecce. valentinaquilino@libero.it.

Notes on Late Roman Unguentaria from Hierapolis in Phrygia (Turkey): a Contribution to the Study of the Contents

Year 2021, , 57 - 73, 31.12.2021
https://doi.org/10.54577/lycus.1030720

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a functional study of Late Roman unguentaria from Hierapolis of Phrygia, which includes the chemical characterisation of organic residues found in 30 stamped vessels by means of the GC-MS technique. Evidence from recent archaeological and archaeometric analyses suggests that LRUs were manufactured in western Anatolia.
The study, centred on the identification of chemical biomarkers, aims to understand the formulation of the actual contents of the unguentaria, together with the production techniques used for balms and ointments. A key substance present in the LRUs analysed is storax resin, obtained from Liquidambar orientalis, a deciduous tree endemic to south-western Turkey and the island of Rhodes. The pharmacological characteristics of storax resin – well known in antiquity for its healing properties – are also discussed.

References

  • Grazia Semeraro - Full Professor of Classical Archaeology, Dept of Cultural Heritage, University of Salento, Lecce. grazia.semeraro@unisalento.it. ORCID: 0000-0002-0027-6280.
  • Maria Valentina Aquilino - Ph.D. Graduate, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Salento, Lecce. valentinaquilino@libero.it.
There are 2 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Archaeology
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Grazia Semeraro 0000-0002-0027-6280

Maria Valentina Aquilino This is me

Publication Date December 31, 2021
Acceptance Date December 27, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021

Cite

Chicago Semeraro, Grazia, and Maria Valentina Aquilino. “Notes on Late Roman Unguentaria from Hierapolis in Phrygia (Turkey): A Contribution to the Study of the Contents”. Lycus Dergisi, no. 4 (December 2021): 57-73. https://doi.org/10.54577/lycus.1030720.

Lycus Dergisi, Anadolu Arkeolojisi, Tarihi Coğrafyası olmak üzere Prehistorik Dönem’den başlayarak, günümüze kadar olan kültür mirası, buluntular, arkeolojik kazı ve yüzey araştırmalarının sonuçları, restorasyon, konservasyon, müzecilik, antropoloji, epigrafi, etno-arkeoloji gibi bilimsel çalışmaları kapsar. Bunların dışında ilk defa yapılan tespitler, uygulamalar ve analiz çalışmalarının yer aldığı yazıları içerir.