Dated to the 13th century BC, the Middle Assyrian period, clay tablet KAR 220 was discovered in the ancient capital of Assur. The text describes a complex distillation process that lasted several days and nights. As Belatekallim, or “female overseer of the palace,” Taputi crafted fragrances for the royal court.
Thanks to the work of scent specialist Bihter Türkan Ergül and a team of Turkish scientists, this ancient aroma has been reconstructed. The analysis reveals a sophisticated blend of botanicals, many of which are still revered in the Near East today. The ingredients identified include:
- Cyperus (Nut Grass): Providing a woody, earthy base.
- Myrrh: A resin known for its deep, balsamic sweetness.
- Calamus (Sweet Flag): Adding a spicy, lemony note.
- Myrtle: Contributing a fresh, herbal top note.
- Balsam, cypress root, various blossoms and oils: Used as carriers and aromatic enhancers through a meticulous process of boiling, distilling, filtering, and cooling.
The revival of this fragrance is more than a laboratory success; it is a cultural bridge to the Assyrians of Tur Abdin (the "Mountain of the Servants of God") in modern-day Southeastern Turkey.
For the contemporary Assyrian people, these ingredients are not mere historical artifacts. In the ancient monasteries and villages of Tur Abdin, such as Mor Gabriel or Mor Hananyo, the use of aromatic resins and herbs remains central to daily and spiritual life. The calamus and myrrh mentioned in Taputi-Belatekallim’s 3,200-year-old recipe are among the same resins that still permeate Assyrian churches today during the liturgy.
The holy anointing oil (Muron), used by the Syriac Orthodox Church, continues a 3,000-year Mesopotamian tradition of sacred perfumery first documented by Taputi. While Muron follows the biblical prescription of Exodus 30, its ingredients and the craft of distillation reflect the same meticulous techniques pioneered in Assyria. Just as Taputi crafted fragrances for the royal court of Assur, the Assyrians have continued to preserve a heritage where scent is a vehicle for the divine and a mark of cultural identity.
