For thousands of years, perfume has been a part of human life. In March of 2005, the BBC reported that Italian archaeologists working in Cyprus found the site of what appeared to be a perfume factory, dating all the way back to the Bronze Age, more than 4,000 years ago. Cyprus, according to the BBC report, was mentioned by Pliny, the ancient historian of the Roman world, as being the place where some of the most sought after scents of that time were created.

While today, perfume is, for many people, more of a fashion accessory than anything else, in the past it was very different. In times gone by, perfume was an essential element of religious ritual, a powerful part of magic and even medicine. With the rising popularity of aromatherapy, we see a bit of that old faith in the power of perfume returning.

In the modern era, cheap perfume is readily available, due to technological advancements that allow for mass-production. In the past, that was not the case. Perfumes were often expensive, and their production labor intensive. Traveling the known world via trade routes that carried them far and wide, perfumes were highly desirable imports and valuable exports.

Many of the scents that made up the perfumes that so enchanted the ancients continue to be used in perfumes today. Amber oil, sandalwood, musks, and the great florals, including rose and jasmine, are used in many of the most popular perfumes today. Frankincense and myrrh, also used in perfumes today, are famed for being thought of as gifts worthy of the son of god himself, according to Christian scriptures.

There are still those that recognize the ancient mystery and magic of perfume, those that realize that perfume is far more than a fashion accessory. Perhaps it is these people who most appreciate how wonderful it is that modern means of production and transport have made quality perfumes available at affordable prices throughout the world.