Research on human urine tests has resulted in a good knowledge of uroscopy flasks in the Middle
Ages but has no parallels in Roman times. Although classical authors mention the existence of such tests in
Antiquity, only few studies have focused on this theme. During the study of Roman necropolises in the Algarve
(Portugal), a glass vessel probably picked from a medical doctor’s grave has been identified. Its unprecedent
shape, comparable to medieval uroscopy flasks, and its context can be related with that function. An identical
object was documented at Emerita, the capital of Lusitania, also in a Roman doctor’s grave. We have found
statements of ancient authors that prove the existence of urine tests in Roman times.
The following study requires further back-up, but it strongly suggests that this glass flask was used for
medical purposes. Even though this is a new piece, the two only specimens were found in possible medical
practitioners’ graves in Lusitanian cities. This is a preliminary study, but we hope that new findings can be
documented and published.
