Incense trade

The exchange of aromatic substances, especially frankincense and myrrh, across regions. It connected producing areas in Arabia and northeast Africa with markets in the Mediterranean and Asia.

Frankincense: An aromatic resin tapped from trees of the genus Boswellia and burned as incense. This high-value resin was a principal commodity carried along incense routes.
Boswellia sacra: A frankincense-producing tree native to parts of the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa. Its resin supplied major export markets from the trade's southern reaches.
Ancient Egyptian religion: The religious traditions and practices of ancient Egypt, including temple rites and funerary customs. Egyptian temples and funerary practices consumed imported aromatic resins.
Nabataean Kingdom: An ancient Arab kingdom centered at Petra, flourishing from the fourth century BCE to the second century CE. Nabataean merchants and cities benefited from the movement of incense through Arabia.
Silk Road: A network of overland and maritime routes that connected East Asia with Central Asia and regions farther west. Unlike the incense network, it is chiefly associated with exchange linking East Asia to western markets.
Incense Route: A network of caravan routes that carried Arabian incense north toward Mediterranean markets. Its overland paths linked southern Arabian resin sources with northern buyers.
Commiphora myrrha: A thorny tree native to the Horn of Africa and southern Arabia that yields myrrh. Harvesting its resin helped establish the region's reputation as a source of aromatics.
Ancient Greek religion: The religious practices and beliefs of ancient Greek communities and sanctuaries. Burned offerings created demand for incense in Greek worship.
Petra: An ancient city in present-day Jordan, renowned for its rock-cut architecture and regional trade. Petra prospered as a caravan hub connected to incense routes.
Spice trade: The long-distance commerce in spices such as pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Spice commerce overlapped with incense routes but involved distinct commodities and sources.

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