Bonn, Germany: Hatshepsut ruled over the land of the Pharaohs in the 18th Dynasty 1479 to 1458 BC. Although it was uncommon that Egypt was governed by a woman, Hatshepsut and Cleopatra are evidence that death and destiny could have created scenarios, where a woman could have become the Sun God.
As a pharaoh Hatshepsut oversaw preparation and funding of missions to the Land of Punt, today in the region of Eritrea. When the Egyptians returned from the Land of Punt they brought with them richness and goods in the form of gold, myrrh, ebony, ivory and incense. Even today incense is used and routed deeply in the culture of Eritrea and the Horn of Africa.
According to German scientists traces of such incense have been found in a flagon that has an inscription with Hatshepsut’s name. The flagon was used as perfume by the pharaoh and seems to be well preserved. The scientists plan to screen the perfume, which they named “the scent of the gods”, in the Radiology Department of the University of Bonn. First x-rays revealed residues of fluid sediment, which is going to be analysed by pharmacologists with the goal to recreate the perfume. University of Bonn Press Release
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If you are interested in reading more about Hatshepsut, the April issue of National Geographic Magazine features a profile on her and the identification of her mummy.