1,400-year-old treasure trove of drugs to treat depression and heart disease

Archaeologists have discovered the largest ever stash of ancient medicines to treat depression and heart disease at an excavation site in Türkiye.

Nearly 700 small ceramic jars containing pills for depression and heart disease were found at Bathonea on the shores of Kucukcekmece Lake in Istanbul, Türkiye, Ancient Origins reported. Traces of the excavation site were first revealed in 2007 when the lake's water level dropped due to drought.

Sengul Aydingun, head of the excavation team, said the ceramic vessels were over 1,390 years old. They were buried under layers of ash from the time the Avar Empire attacked Istanbul in 626.

Ceramic jars containing medicines for depression and heart disease during excavations in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Photo: CEN).

Archaeologists say the discovery not only demonstrates the scale of drug production and use in the region, but also provides evidence of a surprise arson attack by invaders.

"This is the largest number of ancient medicine bottles ever discovered in an archaeological excavation. We transferred most of them to the museum," said Dr Aydingun.

After analysis, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK) determined that the substances contained in these ancient jars were methanone and phenanthrene, two drugs used to treat depression and heart disease. The ingredients for the drugs were obtained from plants growing nearby, Dr. Aydingun said.

Archaeologists also discovered a thick layer of ash and had it examined by experts at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography in Wroclaw, Poland. According to the analysis, the fire took place around 620-640. During this period, Istanbul suffered attacks from Thrace and from the Avar Empire in 626.

According to Khoahoc.tv