Soap has been an indispensable element for cleanliness, hygiene and health throughout human history. However, the history of soap is not limited to cleaning; it presents a story closely related to the development of civilization. In this article, we take a short journey into the history of soap.
The Birth of Soap
The first known use of soap begins in Mesopotamia. Around 2800 BC, the Babylonians used a mixture of animal fat and wood ash for cleaning and therapeutic purposes. This early formula formed the basis of the soap we use today.
Soap in Antiquity
Evidence of the use of soap-like substances has been found in ancient Egypt. Egyptians mixed animal and vegetable fats with alkaline salts to produce soap-like mixtures to cleanse the body and prevent disease.
The Romans were pioneers in the popularization of soap. The name of soap comes from Mount “Sapo” in Rome. According to legend, soap was discovered when the fat and ashes of animal sacrifices mixed with the Tiber River and was used by Roman women for washing clothes.
The Middle Ages and the spread of soap
In the Middle Ages, soap making flourished, especially in the Mediterranean region. Olive oil started to be used as the main ingredient of soap, while Marseille and Castilian soaps became very popular in Europe. However, since soap was an expensive product at the time, it was generally used by the aristocracy.
Soap in the Modern Era
century, with the developments in chemical science, soap production