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Image Credit: Johannes Eber
Residue Analysis Reveals Incense Use in Pompeii Domestic Rituals
A new archaeological study examining preserved residues from incense burners in Pompeii has provided the first direct material evidence of incense use in domestic religious practices during the Roman period.
The research focused on two terracotta censers recovered from household contexts in Pompeii and a nearby villa. Using advanced analytical techniques, including microscopy and chemical residue analysis, researchers identified the substances that had been burned within these vessels.
The results indicate that woody plants were commonly used, likely serving as fuel or as part of ritual offerings. In addition, remains of fruit-bearing plants—such as stone fruits and possibly grape products—were detected, suggesting that organic offerings played a role in household rituals. Most significantly, traces of aromatic resins from the Burseraceae family were identified, pointing to the use of imported incense materials originating from regions in Asia or sub-Saharan Africa.
The archaeological contexts of the finds link the censers directly to domestic shrines, known as lararia, where Roman households performed daily religious practices. These rituals often involved offerings to household deities, including the Lares and Penates, and could include incense, food, and libations.
One of the censers was discovered within a fully furnished shrine in a rural villa near Pompeii, confirming its role as a ritual object. The second was associated with a building undergoing renovation, reflecting the broader use of such offerings in both domestic and transitional spaces.
The study demonstrates how scientific analysis of microscopic residues can enhance understanding of ancient religious practices, moving beyond textual sources to provide direct physical evidence. It also contributes to the emerging field of sensory archaeology by offering insights into the smells and materials that formed part of everyday ritual life in Roman society.
Published on: 30-03-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: Antiquity Journal