What's New in Papyrology

Recent publications of papyri & ostraca 4th BC-8th AD; conferences, lectures etc. from Papy-L and other sources as noted. PLEASE SEND SUGGESTIONS

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Cornelia Roemer on BBC Discovery

Latest Edition: 20th June

Erika Wright’s Indispensable invention this week is Toothpaste

Early Toothpastes
The earliest existing recipe for toothpaste is over 1600 years old and was recently recovered from the vaults of the Austrian National Library. It had been lying there untouched since it was retrieved from an Egyptian Rubbish dump over 100 years ago. The recipe includes honey, mint, crushed iris flower and salt. For centuries people used chalk, soaps, and even pepper to clean their teeth. Erika talks to Cornelia Roemer, director of the papyrus collection in Vienna.


Source: my wife just happened to be listening to it on the internet.

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