By Malak Khaled
People have always been fascinated with Ancient Egypt, a civilization that existed thousands of years ago and left many intrigued and puzzled by its mysteries.
How did they build the pyramids, and how did they crack the code for mummification? Now, a new question arises: Cleopatra is known to have seduced Mark Antony with her scent, so what did she actually smell like?
While we may never find answers to these questions or discover Cleopatra’s exact love potion, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir is unveiling long-kept secrets about ancient Egyptian perfumes.
They are holding an exhibition titled “Perfumes of Ancient Egypt Through the Ages.” The exhibition started on December 7, 2024, and will last for three months only, so make sure to pass by and enjoy this surreal experience.
Who Is Behind This Exhibition?
The “Perfumes of Ancient Egypt Through the Ages” archeological exhibition is organized in collaboration with the University of Paul Valéry Montpellier 3 in France, along with the esteemed Lapex Archimedes laboratory and the Hieroglyphic Language Foundation, Hieroglyx.
What Can You Expect From the Exhibition?
The exhibition offers VR technology to transport you into the world of perfume production. You will get to know more about the Ancient Egyptians’ prized raw materials, such as myrrh, see real-life examples of the utensils used, and lastly, take a journey into fragrance-crafting.
A highlight of the exhibition is five artifacts depicting an expedition to the land of Punt under Hatshepsut’s orders. The expedition was sent to acquire her exotic elements and her incense materials.
If that’s not cool enough, you will also delve head-first into Ancient Egyptian aroma with perfume replicas to inhale. The duplicates are reproduced by decoding Papyri manuscripts, and they are also displayed in the exhibition.
The Significance of Perfumes for Ancient Egyptians
The Pharaohs didn’t just turn heads with their perfumes. They used incense in many of their rituals, from burning it in temples for its purifying effect to benefiting from its healing potential. Perfumes were even a great part of the mummification process.
As each year uncovers new knowledge about the Pharaohs, we are once again left in awe of the civilization they built and the legacy they left behind. The temporary exhibition at the Egyptian Museum perfectly exemplifies the use of technology and modern methods to explore and capture Egyptian history in all its glory.
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