Depot of medicine for depression and heart disease buried 1,400 years

Archaeologists found the oldest archives to treat the biggest heart and depression depression ever in an excavation site in Turkey.

Nearly 700 small ceramic pots containing depression and heart disease pills were found in Bathonea on the shores of Lake Kucukcekmece, Istanbul, Turkey, and the Ancient Origins on October 19 reported. The vestiges of the excavation area were first revealed in 2007 when the lake water was lowered due to drought.

Sengul Aydingun, head of the excavation team, said the ceramics are dated to over 1,390 years. They were under the ashes of the Avar Empire that attacked Istanbul in 626.

Ceramic pots contain drugs for depression and heart disease during excavations in Istanbul, Turkey.(Photo: CEN).

Archaeologists believe that the discovery not only represents the scale of production and use of drugs in the region, but also provides evidence of an unexpected fire attack by the invaders.

"This is the largest number of ancient potions ever discovered during an archaeological excavation. We transferred much to the museum," said Dr. Aydingun.

After analysis, the Turkish Council for Science and Technology Research (TUBITAK) determined that the substance contained in these ancient jars was methanone and phenanthrene , two types of drugs that treat depression and heart disease. The ingredients that make the medicine come from plants growing around, Dr. Aydingun said.

Archaeologists also discovered a thick layer of ash and asked experts at the Institute of Archeology and Ethnology in Wroclaw, Poland. According to the analysis, the fire took place around 620-640 years. During this period, Istanbul suffered attacks from Thrace and from the Avar Empire in 626.