Ancient Roman cosmetic cream found

[Book Lover]

When shit like this happens, I cheer myself up by delving into ancient things...and here's what I found:


Scientists have unearthed a small tin canister dating back to the middle of the second century AD in an excavated Roman temple precinct in London that contains a sophisticated white cream that could rival today's top cosmetics.

<snip>

The cream consists of about 40 percent animal fat -- most likely from sheep or cattle -- 40 percent starch and tin oxide. The fat forms the creamy base and the tin oxide makes the mixture opaque white.

"As far as I can tell, the tin oxide was quite inert so it wouldn't cause any dermatological problems," said Evershed.

<snip>

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/11/03/science.cosmetics.reut/index.html
Evershed said: "It gives us yet another insight into the sophisticated way in which our ancestors used materials from their environment. This is an ancient technology and one that doesn't differ so much from some of the cosmetic technologies in use today."

[eleonora]

1. what about creams made of human fat

lol......collect it at every liposuction

[Book Lover]

2. Um, I think that's disgusting

Yet I laughed for a full minute.... What a weird night.

[Sannum]

3. That reminds me of

"Fight Club"