Archaeologists excavating a Roman villa in the Alentejo region of Portugal have discovered a remarkably intact 2nd-century CE apothecary. The facility, which appears to have served as a regional center for medicinal production, features built-in stone shelves containing dozens of sealed ceramic unguentaria and lead storage boxes.
Preliminary chemical analysis of the residues found inside the vessels has identified traces of opium, mandrake, and imported frankincense. The discovery of specialized scales and grinding stones suggests that the site was a standardized pharmaceutical laboratory, providing new insights into the professionalization of medical care in the Western Roman provinces.