Perfumery

The history of distillation is a fascinating journey that traces the development of chemistry and technology across civilisation. While commonly associated with medieval alchemists and later scientific advancements, the roots of distillation may extend deep into antiquity. Recent interpretations of Akkadian tablets dated around 1200 BCE suggest that ancient Mesopotamians might have employed rudimentary distillation techniques in the production of perfumes.

The Akkadian Empire, centred in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), thrived between the 24th and 22nd centuries BCE. By 1200 BCE, although the empire had declined, the Akkadian language and culture continued to influence the region. The Akkadians were renowned for their advancements in writing, law, and science, leaving behind a wealth of clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform script. These tablets offer invaluable insights into their daily life, religious practices, and technological knowledge.

Perfumes and aromatic substances held significant cultural and religious importance in Mesopotamian society. They were used in religious rituals, medical treatments, and personal grooming. The production of these fragrances was a sophisticated craft, often involving complex procedures to extract and concentrate aromatic compounds from various natural materials like flowers, resins, and woods.

Among the numerous tablets discovered, some contain detailed descriptions of processes related to the preparation of perfumes and medicinal concoctions. Scholars studying these texts have identified procedures that may correspond to early forms of distillation. Key terms and phrases within the tablets reference actions such as heating, vaporising, and collecting liquids—processes integral to distillation.

The tablets describe methods that involve:

• Heating Substances: Raw materials like plants and resins were placed in vessels and subjected to heat.
• Vapour Collection: There are indications of capturing vapors produced during heating, suggesting an understanding of volatilisation.
• Condensation: References to collecting liquids after cooling imply knowledge of condensation processes.

For example, a tablet might outline a procedure where fragrant woods are heated, and the resulting vapours are channeled and condensed into a liquid form, yielding a concentrated essence of the original material.

Distilled perfumes would have been highly prized for their purity and intensity. The ability to create such products would enhance trade opportunities and confer prestige upon those who mastered the technique. Perfumes also played a role in religious offerings and ceremonies, further elevating their importance in society.