The historical use of ladanum. Palynological evidence from 15th and 16th century cesspits in northern Belgium

Pollen of the Cistus ladanifer type and of other members of the Cistaceae family has been found in 15th and 16th century cesspits in Aalst and Raversijde, Flanders, Belgium. The presence of these Mediterranean pollen types in the cesspits is most probably the consequence of the use of ladanum, an aromatic resin produced by several Cistus species. In the Mediterranean region, ladanum has been used since antiquity for the production of perfumes and in medicine. In northwestern Europe, the use of ladanum is known from historical manuscripts but there have been no archaeobotanical finds indicating the use of ladanum until now.