Archaeologists in Kazakhstan announced the discovery of chalk pieces bearing traces of fragrant substances in two female tombs dating back approximately 2,000 years. Analyses showed that these pieces contain compounds linked to cinnamon and wormwood, suggesting their possible use in ancient cosmetics.
The Science Mail website, specializing in scientific news, reported on Friday that the study results were published in the scientific journal npj Heritage Science. The research was conducted by an international team of researchers from the Chinese MSU-BIT University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow.
Chemical analyses revealed that the pieces consist primarily of natural chalk rich in calcium carbonate, along with hundreds of organic compounds. Some were linked to substances found in cinnamon, while others indicated the possible presence of wormwood components, with less clear evidence of mint.
Researchers suggest that women in the region used a mixture of mineral powder and fragrant vegetable oils for skincare or to impart a pleasant scent, though the exact use of these cosmetics remains undetermined. One of the white pieces was found alongside funerary items including a bronze mirror, coral and red agate beads, and a spindle whorl.
The researchers pointed to the possibility that the fragrant components were transported from distant regions, such as southern India or China, via ancient trade routes, although analyses did not definitively determine their geographical origin. This discovery adds archaeological evidence to our understanding of daily life and adornment practices among women in ancient Central Asian societies, revealing aspects of the knowledge and materials used by humans approximately 2,000 years ago.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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