Scientists have recreated the olfactory landscape of Pompeii prior to its destruction by Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago by analyzing the residues found within ancient incense burners. The findings offer a tangible connection to the daily religious practices and global trade of the Roman city.
Analysis of materials preserved inside two terracotta incense burners, excavated decades ago from Pompeii and the nearby town of Boscoreale, revealed traces of various substances. Researchers identified several woody plants, including oak and laurel, as well as stone-fruit species like mulberry. These were likely burned during domestic religious rituals.
One of the burners also contained remnants of an aromatic resin, potentially frankincense or a similar substance called elemi. When burned, elemi releases a scent described as fresh lemon peel and crushed pine needles, providing a light, citrusy aroma. Evidence of grape products, likely wine, was also found, suggesting they were used as offerings. The combination of these elements would have produced an earthy, woody, and sweet scent throughout the city.
The study, led by scientists at the University of Zurich, utilized advanced chemical and microscopic analytical methods to identify the organic residues. The team compared chemical signatures with modern plant materials and known resins to pinpoint the likely sources. The frankincense-like substance, they discovered, was not sourced from southern Arabia, the typical origin for frankincense used in the Roman Empire, but was more likely obtained from India or sub-Saharan Africa. This finding provides rare archaeological evidence of the extensive efforts undertaken by Pompeii's inhabitants for their everyday household worship.
One burner was unearthed from a building being converted into an inn at the time of the AD 79 eruption, while the other was found within a household shrine in a rural villa. Analysis suggests both were used for burning fragrant offerings to Roman gods during domestic ceremonies. "By using a combination of different analytical methods, we can gain a broader understanding of the different substances that were burnt inside Pompeian censers," the researchers wrote in the journal Antiquity. "The results indicate that woody plants were burnt in both censers, either as fuel or offerings, alongside stone fruit or laurel plants and possibly wine or grapes… providing the first archaeological evidence of incense offerings in the Pompeian domestic cult."
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 remains one of the most significant natural disasters of the ancient world, burying Pompeii and surrounding towns under ash and volcanic debris. The preservation of the city has provided unparalleled insight into Roman life. Recent discoveries, such as a vibrant fresco depicting a scene from Greek mythology, continue to offer glimpses into the artistic and daily life of the city before its catastrophic end.