In the annals of history, there are pioneers whose innovations transcend time, leaving an indelible mark on civilization. Among these trailblazers is Tapputi Belatekallim, an ancient Mesopotamian chemist who is often hailed as the world’s first recorded perfume maker.
Tapputi Belatekallim lived during the second millennium BCE in the city of Babylon. Her pioneering work involved extracting essential oils from flowers, plants, and spices, then blending them to create fragrant concoctions. Her passion for perfume-making led her to document her methods on a clay tablet, which was later unearthed by archaeologists. The recipe found on this ancient tablet is a testament to Tapputi’s mastery. It details her techniques for distillation, mixing, and aging of ingredients. Her innovations paved the way for the modern perfume industry, where artistry and science intertwine. Tapputi-Belatekallim is considered to be the world’s first chemist, a perfume-maker mentioned in a cuneiform tablet. She used flowers, oil, and calamus along with cyperus, myrrh, and balsam. She added water or other solvents then distilled and filtered several times.