Workshop: Replications

16-17 July 2024

Participants: Victor Golubev (FLU / IOCB), Laura Prieto (FLU / IOCB), Sergei Prokvolit (MIT), Sean Coughlin (FLU/IOCB).

This workshop gathers chemists and historians of philosophy and science to tackle the multifaceted challenge of recreating ancient perfume recipes. It focuses on the epistemology, methodology and practicality of replicating recipes whose targets are unknown or poorly characterized. Through presentations of work-in-progress and practical sessions, participants examine the interpretation of historical texts, the limitations of contemporary chemistry in understanding ancient 'chemistry', and the complexities of sourcing and utilizing historical ingredients. By addressing these aspects, the conference aims to deepen our understanding of ancient perfumery and foster interdisciplinary dialogue on the replication of historical sensory experiences.

Tuesday 16 July 2024 (Alchemies of Scent and IOCB).

09:00–11:30. Practical Session 1 (Coughlin). Alchemies of Scent.

11.30-13.00. Lunch and move to IOCB.

13:00. Discussion Session. Welcome and Introduction (Coughlin).

13:10–14:00. Sergei Prokvolit. Perfume-Making in Ancient Babylon.

14:00–14:50. Laura Prieto. The Impossible Challenge of Recreating Ancient Perfumes.

14:50–15:00. Break.

15:00–15:50. Victor Golubev. Stypsis in Greco-Egyptian Perfumery.

15:50–16:00. Break.

16:00–16:50. Sean Coughlin (with results from Jakub Smrcek). Can we use modern chemistry to understand the ‘chemistry’ of the past? Case study: Myrrh and Stacte.

Wednesday 17 July 2024 (Alchemies of Scent, Husova 7).

09:00–12:00. Practical Session 2 (Prieto).