The world's oldest perfumes found in Cyprus!!!!

[depurple]

21-03-2007
The world's oldest perfumes have been found on Cyprus by a team of Italian archaeologists.
The perfumes were scented with extracts of lavender, bay, rosemary, pine, or coriander and kept in tiny translucent alabaster bottles. The remaining traces found in Pyrgos, on the south of the island, are more than 4,000 years old.
The scents were discovered inside what archaeologists believe was an enormous 43,000-square-foot perfume-making factory. "We were astonished at how big the place was," said Maria Rosa Belgiorno, the leader of the Italian archaeological team. "Perfumes must have been produced on an industrial scale."

At least 60 distilling stills, mixing bowls, funnels, and perfume bottles were found perfectly preserved at the site, which had been blanketed in earth after a violent earthquake around 1850 BC.

The abundance of perfumes fits well with Cyprus's mythological status as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. "The goddess's myth was strongly linked to the perfume she used to get what she wanted," said Pavlos Flourentzos, head of Cyprus's antiquities department.

The finds are now on display at the Capitoline Museum in Rome. In addition, four of the perfumes have been recreated from residues found at the site.

An Italian foundation, which aims to recreate antique traditions, distilled them according to techniques described by Pliny the Elder, by grinding the herbs, adding them to oil and water, then burying them in a small long-necked jug over hot embers for 12 hours.

"It smells good, but strong," said Alessia Affinata, a 30-year-old visitor. "I can smell the pine especially," said Giulia Occhi Villavecchia, 23. Neither woman, however, was sure that they would actually wear them.

Source
The New York Sun

[Leyla]

Thanks for posting the article DP! I was reading about this over the weekend, it's very interesting..the scents are named after Aphrodite, Hera, Athena and Artemis.

[Alexios]

My Grandfather found a beautiful alabaster bottle whilst digging in his vineyard some 50 years ago. It must have been an aftershave as it had a huge nose engraved on it and the name PAPABOSS under it....

[Kifeas]

[cypezokyli]

[Alexios]

[Alexios]

PS: I am certain TP will win the next elections as well.So i am already used to the idea and kourtounia won't be of any use to me.It's a horrible stuff anyway....

[depurple]

I thought the oldest perfume was in my mother in laws cupboard!
She has been using Chanel number 13 for the last 60 years the old bat!
cheers
PS She used to use Brut in the old days!