Restoration of 3,500-year-old perfume

By analyzing the jars of fragrant water left in Hatshepsut temple, scientists are trying to restore the perfume that this Egyptian queen used 35 centuries ago.

Hatshepsut is the first queen of ancient Egypt. She came to power after her brother, Pharaoh Thutmose II, died without a successor. She ruled the country until her death in 1457 BC.

During his reign, Hatshepsut reopened the southern trade route, which was interrupted by the war. She formed a navy squadron of women sailors to explore the land of Punt (now called the Cape of Hope in Africa).

Queen Hatshepsut's statue.

The naval government brought back the aromatic resin, the incense, which was then grown and processed into perfume. But so far, the recipe for the perfume of that period has been lost.

However, scientists at the University of Bonn, Germany, said they could restore the perfume after discovering fragrances placed in the Hatshepsut queen's temple.

The aromatic substances found in the Hatshepsut temple.

"The type of incense in Egypt is often used only for worshiping gods but it is most likely used to make perfume for Queen Hatshepsut," said Höveler-Müller, manager of the Library. Bonn University said

Scientists use X-rays to analyze samples of the remaining chemicals at the bottom of these aromatics. They hope, the research results will help restore the perfume that Queen Hatshepsut used 3,500 years ago.