Ancient medicine found in shipwreck- Margaret Canady

Medicine from more than 2,000 years ago was discovered in a tin box on an ancient Roman shipwreck off the Italian coast. The six tablets have been analyzed by scientists and have been found to contain animal and plant fats, pine resin, and zinc compounds.

The shipwreck where the tablets were found dates back to about 140-130 BC; it is thought to have been a trading ship sailing from Greece across the Mediterranean. Based on the medicine's composition, scientists believe it was used to treat eye infections.

Ingredients in the tablets include pine resin, which has antibacterial properties, animal and vegetable fats, which were used in ancient perfumes and medicinal preparations, starch, an ingredient in early Roman cosmetics, and zinc compounds, which is believed to be the active ingredient in the tablets. Zinc compounds were used for the treatment of eye diseases. Using so many ingredients shows the "care, even in ancient times, in the choice of the complex mixture of products."

I think it is surprising yet great that after over 2,000 years, they are able to find medicine in such a good condition and analyze it. I didn't realize that scientists know so much about ancient pharmaceuticals; they compare their research with the writings of ancient authors. I also didn't know how complex and sophisticated ancient medicine was! Discovering and examining ancient medicine can lead to insight on their way of life.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20937910