This exhibition is the outcome of a collaboration between the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Paul Valéry University Montpellier 3 in France, LabEx Archimède, and the Hieroglyphics Institute Hieroluxe.  

The three-month-long exhibition explores the art and science of perfume production in ancient Egypt, highlighting its uses in daily life, religious rituals, and political practices.

Visitors can admire a remarkable collection of artefacts, including statues of Queen Hatshepsut and the god Amun-Re, depictions of Hatshepsut’s famed expedition to the Land of Punt to source myrrh and frankincense, and beautifully preserved dried flowers from the New Kingdom.

Also on display are perfume containers and ancient manuscripts featuring detailed perfume recipes. These pieces are collected from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the Coptic Museum.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Moamen Othman, head of the Museums Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, noted the exhibition's significance in spotlighting one of Egypt’s most iconic industries. “Perfume-making was an integral part of ancient Egyptian culture, and this exhibition offers visitors a rare glimpse into its history and craftsmanship,” he said.

Aly Abdel Hakim, the museum's general director, explains that, in addition to the artefacts, the museum offers its visitors an immersive experience through virtual reality technology. “Visitors can witness how perfumes were used in ancient Egypt in daily activities and religious ceremonies, such as mummification, and their political significance,” he said. 

One of the exhibition's unique features is the recreation of ancient Egyptian perfumes based on recipes preserved in papyri. The museum’s restoration department supervises the preparation of these scents, which visitors can experience firsthand.   

The exhibition celebrates the ingenuity of ancient Egyptians and underscores the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in uncovering and preserving history's treasures.