Excavations at the ancient port city of Sabratha have revealed a perfectly preserved Roman perfume market, buried under a layer of sand since the 2nd century CE. The site includes a series of vaulted stone stalls containing hundreds of lead-sealed glass vials still filled with traces of ancient floral extracts and resins.
Chemical analysis of the residues indicates the use of rare ingredients sourced from sub-Saharan Africa and India, highlighting Libya's role as a major trans-shipment point for the global luxury trade. The marketplace is the most complete commercial complex of its kind ever found in North Africa, featuring original limestone counters and drainage systems.