Soap and its history, from ancient times to today.

Soap and its history

Soap has its roots in Ancient Greece, specifically on the island of Lesvos. Animal sacrifices in honor of the gods took place on that island. Because these animals were often cremated, hardwood ashes accumulated (an early source of alkali). Over the years, the specific ashes were mixed with animal remains. It is said that after a heavy rain a yellow residue appeared from the mountain of ashes and found its way down the hill where the temple was located. Local women, washing their clothes in the local river, noticed that their clothes were cleaner when the river was yellowish.

History records the poetess Sappho who wrote about those times when the action of the yellowish liquid was observed and thus honoring her was given the term “Saponification” – the chemical term that describes the creation of soap.

Here is a review of the evolution of soap through the ages:

Ancient times

1. Ancient Mesopotamia:
   • The first traces of soap are found in Mesopotamia around 2800 BC. Archaeologists have discovered cylindrical clay containers with soapy materials.
   • According to historical sources, the Sumerians boiled fats with ashes, a process that produces a substance similar to soap.
2. Ancient Egypt:
   • The Egyptians used a mixture of animal and vegetable oils with alkaline sands to cleanse and treat skin conditions.
   • The Ebers Papyrus, dating from 1500 BC, describes the use of soap for medicinal purposes.
3. Ancient Greece and Rome:
   • Greeks and Romans used various types of cleaning substances. The Greeks used sand gravel and olive oil, while the Romans made soap from fats and ashes.
   • The Romans published the first references to soap in Pliny the Elder’s “Natural History” around 77 AD.

Middle Ages

4. Europe::
   • During the Middle Ages, soap production spread throughout Europe. The main production centers were Italy, Spain and France.
   • Marseille soap, made from olive oil and alkaline salts from brine, was very popular.

Renaissance and Industrial Revolution

5. Renaissance:
   • Soap making improved and evolved with the discovery of new processes and ingredients. Soap became more affordable and popular.
6. Industrial Revolution:
   • With the advent of the industrial revolution in the 19th century, soap production was modernized and mechanized.
   • Nicolas Leblanc discovered a method of producing soda from common salt in 1791, enabling the widespread production of soap.

Modern times

7. 20th century and beyond:
   • At the beginning of the 20th century, synthetic detergents appeared, offering alternatives to traditional soap.
   • At the beginning of the 20th century, synthetic detergents appeared, offering alternatives to traditional soap.

Contemporary Uses and Trends

8. Environmental awareness and handmade soaps:
   • There is an increased interest in natural and ecological products, leading to the development of a market for handmade and organic soaps.
   • Soaps without chemical additives and with natural fragrances are gaining ground.

Olive n flower continues the tradition in natural soap and offers you pure, natural soaps