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Published online 3 November 2004 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news041101-8
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Recreating a 2,000-year-old cosmetic
Ancient cream gave Roman aristocrats a pale complexion.
A sealed Roman pot, unearthed at an archaeological dig in London, caused much speculation about its 2,000-year-old contents when it was opened in front of the media last summer.
Initial guesses about the function of the white cream inside ranged from toothpaste, to a pharmaceutical product, to something that was smeared on goats before they were killed.
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