Pharmacy in ancient Rome

6 pills were discovered in a tin box on the ancient Roman ship Pozzino, wrecked off Italy, determined to be more than 2,000 years old. Scientists analyzed the medicinal ingredients in these tablets.

Medicines in ancient Roman times

The team found rosin to be antibacterial. Animal and plant fats have also been discovered including ancient olive oil used in perfumes and medicinal preparations. They also found that starch was thought to be an early Roman cosmetic ingredient (perhaps in this tablet it acted as an adjuvant). The team also discovered zinc compounds that they thought were the active ingredient in the tablet. With the ingredients of the drug, the team believes that these drugs are used to treat eye diseases.

The BBC quoted Chemistry professor Maria Perla Colombini from the University of Pisa as saying: "I was surprised to find many ingredients in the medicine. The pills are very well preserved under deep sunken conditions for too long."

The wrecked ship carrying these pills is believed to date from 140-130 BC. It was first discovered in 1974 off the coast of Tuscany, which was further explored in the 1980s and 1990s, but only the pills were fully studied.