Excavations at the ancient city of Karka in Uzbekistan have unearthed a specialized laboratory dedicated to the production of high-end perfumes and aromatic oils. Dating to the 4th century BCE, the site contains terracotta distillation vessels and dozens of miniature glass vials, some of which still contain the residues of cedar, myrrh, and jasmine.
Chemical analysis of the contents reveals that the perfumers used complex multi-stage distillation techniques previously thought to have been perfected much later. The discovery highlights the importance of the aromatic trade on the early Silk Road, where custom-blended scents were as valuable as silk and gemstones, serving the elites of both the Persian and Hellenistic worlds.