Vessel for mixing wine and water, late 5th century BCE,
with men sacrificing a goat to a terminal figure of the
god Hermes. The sacrificial victim has been
dismembered and a part is being held in the flame on
the altar. The entrails resting on the small table would
release odorants including putrescine and cadaverine,
typically characterised as strong and rancid, as well as
ammonia, skatole, indole and other volatile organic
compounds.
British Museum, London, 1837,0609.38. ©
The Trustees of the British Museum