Archaeologists working in the ancient Gandhara region have unearthed specialized ceramic vessels dating back to the 2nd century BCE, suggesting highly advanced chemical distillation techniques. The find includes tiered condensers and perforated collection bowls that indicate the production of essential oils and medicinal spirits.
Chemical residue analysis performed on the interior of the jars revealed traces of camphor and aromatic herbs. This discovery challenges the previous timeline of distillation technology in South Asia, suggesting that Sanatan medicinal practices utilized complex chemical processing much earlier than previously documented in Western historiography.