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Discovery of 'Seven-Resin' Alabaster Jars in Saqqara Unveils Logistics of the Ancient Egyptian Festival of the Seven Scents

📅 April 3, 2026 📰 Egypt Antiquities Today
Discovery of 'Seven-Resin' Alabaster Jars in Saqqara Unveils Logistics of the Ancient Egyptian Festival of the Seven Scents

New excavations in a storage annex near the Step Pyramid of Djoser have yielded a set of seven sealed alabaster jars, each inscribed with the name of a specific aromatic oil. Chemical analysis confirms these jars held the precise ingredients for the 'Festival of the Seven Scents', an annual event dedicated to the olfactory rejuvenation of the gods.

The discovery provides the first physical evidence of the complex supply chains required to procure exotic resins like frankincense, myrrh, and galbanum from as far away as the Land of Punt. These scents were atomized in massive braziers during processional circuits, creating a sensory experience that defined Egyptian temple festivals.

Original source: Egypt Antiquities Today