Journey of Senses Perfume- whether it is oil or alcohol-based, fruity, floral, or earthy- its evolution and influence throughout history are undeniable. For centuries, the practice and art of perfumery have varied in ingredients, purposes, and relevance. The history of perfume is not a recent one; in fact, the oldest perfumery was discovered in Cyprus, dating back more than 4,000 years. Crafting scents began in Ancient Egypt, where it was used during prayer celebrations and religious ceremonies to communicate with deities and convey messages to the dead. They burnt essential oils, resin, and other fragrances abundant in Egypt and the wider region. During the first century, the emergence of professional perfumers was due to trade and conquest, expanding influence into regions such as Greece and Rome. In the 13th century, these scents spread further into Europe when crusaders brought back samples from the Holy Land. The global perfume craze increased the demand for fragrances and spices. Through these trade routes, ancient civilizations from India, Arabia to Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome could share and learn from each other.
Despite the geographic expansion of these fragrances, perfumery was an art perfected in the Orient, where it continues to play a significant part in the culture. Its prominence can be attributed to the chemical and alchemy discoveries made by Arab scientists who contributed significantly to fields of science, maths, and medicine during what is known as the Islamic Golden Age. Perfumery apparatuses such as the alembic were also invented by Arabs, who greatly enhanced the ancient art of distillation. During this time, the region witnessed cultural, economic, and scientific flourishing, which facilitated exporting valuable raw materials worldwide and thus monopolizing the trade of fragrance and perfumes for many centuries. These exports came in the form of wood, oils, resins, herbs, and animal fragrance materials. With a prolific supply of products, perfumery proved to be a profitable industry for Arabs: business was booming. Arab merchants expanded their businesses and established themselves as some of the wealthiest businessmen of their times. There were multiple trade paths in the region, and the high demand and supply of perfumes paved the way for the Incense Route rise (also known as the Perfume Route).
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