Content of Late Roman stamped unguentaria from Hierapolis in Phrygia: molecular evidence of their actual use

The paper presents a study of the chemical characterization of organic residues absorbed by the ceramic body of several Late Roman unguentaria from Hierapolis in Phrygia, performed using GC-MS. Found in the urban, residential, funerary and religious milieux in Hierapolis in Phrygia, these vessels evoke contexts of the ritual use of holy water and blessed anointing oil, but also healing or cosmetic practices. The study focuses on the identification of fatty acids and biomarkers by gas chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis of the organic residue, aiming to understand the formulation of the actual content of sampled unguentaria and of one of the production phases of the content itself, a balm.