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Schleswig-Holstein will proceed with its planned educational funding, reversing earlier proposals to cut support for key subjects, according to a statement released today by Landesbischöfin Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt. The decision impacts funding for religion, history, and other social science courses in Gemeinschaftsschulen and Gymnasien.

The reversal follows an announcement from Schleswig-Holstein’s Education Minister, Dr. Dorit Stenke, that the proposed cuts, initially slated for implementation in spring 2025, would not be enacted. Kühnbaum-Schmidt, who leads the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Northern Germany (Nordkirche), welcomed the news, emphasizing the importance of a robust education system for a functioning democracy.

“This is a wise and prudent decision in the interest of students and our democracy,” Kühnbaum-Schmidt stated. “Education imparts the skills, sharpens the understanding of connections, and cultivates independent thought and judgment. Religious education is indispensable in this process.”

Kühnbaum-Schmidt underscored the role of schools as environments where young people develop not only academic knowledge but too essential values and a sense of civic responsibility. She argued that exposure to humanities subjects, including history, ethics, and religion, is crucial for fostering constructive engagement in a pluralistic and multi-religious society.

According to information published on the Nordkirche website, Kühnbaum-Schmidt assumed the role of Landesbischöfin on April 1, 2019, following her election by the Landessynode on September 27, 2018. She also currently serves as the chair of the Kirchenleitung, the executive body of the Nordkirche, and delivers sermons from the Schwerin and Lübeck Cathedrals.

The Landesbischöfin’s statement highlighted the significance of schools as spaces for critical thinking, debate, and the development of individual orientation. She suggested that the decision by the state government demonstrates a commitment to fostering these qualities in young people, preparing them to take responsibility for the future and participate actively in democratic processes.

In a separate role, Kühnbaum-Schmidt was elected as the deputy presiding bishop of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD) in November 2019. Since May 2022, she has also held the voluntary position of commissioner for creation responsibility within the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). As of 2023, she is Vice President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for Central and Western Europe and chairs the German National Committee of the LWF.

Archaeologists have uncovered compelling evidence that ancient Roman medical practices were, at times, surprisingly…unconventional. A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports details the discovery of human feces as a key ingredient in a medicinal concoction prescribed by the renowned Greek physician Galen, who practiced in ancient Rome. The finding offers a rare glimpse into the realities of healthcare nearly two millennia ago and challenges modern perceptions of ancient medical knowledge.

The research, led by a team from Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Istanbul Medipol University, and Istanbul Kent University, provides the first chemical confirmation of recipes detailed in historical texts. For centuries, scholars have known from written sources that ancient physicians experimented with a wide range of ingredients, but concrete proof of their actual apply has been scarce. This discovery bridges that gap, revealing that even the most unpleasant substances were considered potential remedies.

The investigation began with a collection of ancient Roman vessels, known as unguentaria, housed at the Bergama Archaeology Museum in western Turkey. Archaeologist Atila Cenker initially believed these long-necked bottles were used for perfumes, but medical historian Rana Çelebi saw an opportunity to explore a different possibility. “We thought, what if those residues could still speak?” she said, according to NPR. The team, including chemist İlker Demirbolat, carefully scraped residue from nine of the vessels for analysis.

Fecal Matter and Fragrance: A Surprising Combination

While most of the bottles yielded unremarkable results, one contained a startling discovery: chemical markers indicating the presence of human feces. Demirbolat’s analysis identified coprostanol and 24-ethylcoprostanol, compounds produced in the digestive tracts of humans, confirming the substance’s origin. Interestingly, the analysis also revealed trace amounts of aromatic compounds, likely from thyme or oregano, suggesting an attempt to mask the unpleasant odor. This aligns with Galen’s documented practice of using fragrances to make foul-smelling medicines more palatable, as reported by The Archaeologist.

The use of fecal matter in ancient medicine wasn’t unique to the Romans. Historical texts from Egypt and China also document the use of excrement from various animals – and occasionally humans – to treat a range of ailments, including infections and inflammation. However, the effectiveness of these treatments remains unknown. “We have no idea how successful they were,” Çelebi admitted.

Modern Medicine and the Gut Microbiome

While the idea of using human waste as medicine may seem archaic, the concept isn’t entirely foreign to modern medical practice. Researchers are increasingly exploring the potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) – essentially, transferring fecal matter from a healthy donor to a recipient – to treat conditions like Clostridium difficile infection, a debilitating gastrointestinal illness. As NPR reported, FMT is being investigated for other applications as well, highlighting a renewed interest in the power of the gut microbiome.

“Medicinal poop isn’t just a thing of the past,” Çelebi noted. Today, however, the process is far more refined, with excrement typically sealed inside a pill or transplanted directly into the large intestine, a significant departure from the ancient Roman method of mixing it with aromatics.

A Tangible Window into Ancient Practices

Maria Perla Colombini, a professor emeritus of analytical chemistry at the University of Pisa who was not involved in the study, praised the rigor of the analysis, stating, “This represents the first scientific proof which sustains what is written in ancient books.” While acknowledging the possibility that the residue could have been used cosmetically, Colombini emphasized the significance of the findings.

The research team initially envisioned recreating the ancient recipe for participants to experience, but ultimately decided against it, given the…unpleasant nature of the primary ingredient. “That was our dream for this research, but since now we have fecal matter and oregano, we’re not able to do this event,” Çelebi said with a laugh.

This discovery underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in unraveling the mysteries of the past. By combining archaeological expertise, chemical analysis, and historical knowledge, researchers are gaining a more nuanced understanding of ancient medical practices and their enduring legacy. Further investigation into ancient pharmaceutical recipes promises to reveal even more about the ingenuity – and sometimes, the surprising methods – of healers from centuries ago.

As researchers continue to analyze ancient artifacts, One can expect further insights into the evolution of medicine and the surprisingly complex world of ancient healthcare. Share your thoughts on this fascinating discovery in the comments below.