| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
depurple
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Posts: 2879
Location: Australia
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:31 am Post subject: The world's oldest perfumes found in Cyprus!!!! |
|
|
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
Leyla
Joined: 14 Apr 2006
Posts: 612
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 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. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Alexios
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 976
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| 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.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
Kifeas
Joined: 26 Aug 2005
Posts: 2733
Location: Location: Pafos-Cyprus, since 1974 ethnic cleansing. Originally, Lapithos, northern occupied Cyprus.
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Alexios wrote: 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....
In a year’s time, when Papadopoulos will win the next elections, I already see your grandfather finding another beautiful alabaster bottle whilst digging in his vineyard containing an ancient sorrow relieve herbal (kourtounia) tea with a huge phallus engraved on it and the name GIATINPOUZA under it…. |
|
| Back to top |
|
cypezokyli
Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 2344
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Kifeas wrote: Alexios wrote: 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....
In a year’s time, when Papadopoulos will win the next elections, I already see your grandfather finding another beautiful alabaster bottle whilst digging in his vineyard containing an ancient sorrow relieve herbal (kourtounia) tea with a huge phallus engraved on it and the name GIATINPOUZA under it….
:lol: :lol: :lol:
i am not a fan of tpap, but i thought that this was funny :lol: :lol: |
|
| Back to top |
|
Alexios
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 976
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
Kifeas wrote: Alexios wrote: 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....
In a year’s time, when Papadopoulos will win the next elections, I already see your grandfather finding another beautiful alabaster bottle whilst digging in his vineyard containing an ancient sorrow relieve herbal (kourtounia) tea with a huge phallus engraved on it and the name GIATINPOUZA under it….
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Very good Kifeas:) You can be funny when you want after all..!!!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
Alexios
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 976
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 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.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
depurple
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Posts: 2879
Location: Australia
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 5:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
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! |
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
