Perfume-Making and Craft-Knowledge Transmission in the Middle Assyrian Period

Authors

Yu Song, New York University, New York, USAFollow

Abstract

This paper examines the art of perfume making during the Middle Assyrian period, focusing on the perfume recipes unearthed in the Temple of Aššur. These recipes serve as a lens through which we can observe the evolution of crafting knowledge, transitioning from practical application to written documentation, facilitated by the intermediary role of perfumers. Concurrently, the perfumed oils detailed in these recipes bear connections to royal rituals, shedding light on the consecration of Assyrian royal power. I argue that the transmission of craft knowledge and techniques is intricately linked to the ascent of the Assyrian Empire and the evolution of its royal ideology.

Keywords

perfume-making, Middle Assyrian period, ritual, recipe, craftspeople

Recommended Citation

Song, Yu (2025) "Perfume-Making and Craft-Knowledge Transmission in the Middle Assyrian Period," 'Atiqot: Vol. 118, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70967/2948-040X.2318
Available at: https://publications.iaa.org.il/atiqot/vol118/iss1/6