Teaching about the senses in antiquity: exploring the ancient world of scents through recreating ancient perfumes

Abstract

This article presents the results of a student experiment conducted at the University of Hamburg as part of a course about scents and smells in antiquity. In the experiment, students produced their own versions of ancient perfumes. Located at the intersection of the humanities and the sciences, this project aimed to bring ancient olfactory spaces to life for the students by reconstructing and manufacturing ancient fragrances as authentically as possible. As a source for the fragrance recipes, we used the work of the physician Dioscorides, whose writing provides information on the ingredients and procedures used in the ancient manufacture of perfumes. This article illuminates the added value of such experiments by encouraging the integration of experimental archaeology into teaching processes.