Question:
I'm doing some research on extremely old fragrance formulations, such as oil combinations (perhaps with fragrant resins too) that might have been used during the time of the Old and New Testaments. Would anyone have any links or information that might be useful in this area? I have come across some information, but can't attest to its accuracy.
I don't know if any ancient texts have survived, indicating specific recipes. Or if so, from what countries they might have originated. I realize that certain fragrances would be used for different things - some for medicine, some for personal scent, others for religious worship or meditation, etc., and all of these would be of interest to me.
Thanks very much for any assistance in pointing me in the right direction!
Herb Lady

Answer:
http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/amet...tperfumes.html
This is the only resource I know of (I'm sure there are many others, I just haven't crossed paths with them).
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I should mention that in ancient times (2000+ years) the average person didn't wear perfume and the formulas were supposedly even more zelously guarded than they are now, so the written resources are probably limited. Ingredients were also intensely expensive, which prohibited anyone but the very rich from wearing them. But I can tell you a few little tidbits that I know from memory:
Henna was supposedly Cleopatra's favourite perfume, and she scented herself and her chambers with it.
In the Middle East and India, rose attar (and other attars) is worn by men frequently and has been for centuries. This is one of the only cases I know of where even "common folk" have traditionally worn perfumes. "Attars" are a specific kind of perfume oil, and the process of making them is labor and time intensive. You can do a google search on authentic attars, it's very interesting.
Spikenard, frankincense and myrrh would be the most common and recognizeable anointing/perfuming oils for a person living in Hebrew lands in the Old Testament era.

Answer:
Thank you very much for the information! I will check out the link and appreciate your posting it.
I know many fragrances (most) were purchased from elsewhere at that time, but that also some used then are now considered hallucinogens, enabling the wearer to achieve an altered state for meditative or prayer purposes.
Thank you very much, again!

Answer:
This is an interesting question; please let us know what you find out in your explorations.
TNMA