Egypt's Mysterious Trading Partner

Egypt's Elusive Trade Partner

On August 22, 1493, Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt dispatched a large fleet to the land of Punt, a region that has puzzled historians for centuries. Historian Flinders Petrie documented this event in his book "A History of Egypt". The Punt expedition remains one of the most intriguing episodes in ancient Egyptian history.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the land of Punt was a neighboring country with which Egypt had a long-standing trade relationship. The standard story goes that Punt was a place where the Egyptians acquired exotic goods such as myrrh, ebony, and gold. However, this narrative is based on incomplete information and lacks concrete evidence. As historian Kathryn Bard notes, the location of Punt has been debated for decades, with some scholars placing it in modern-day Ethiopia, while others believe it was located in the Arabian Peninsula.

What History Actually Shows

Historians such as Breasted and Gardiner have studied the accounts of the Punt expedition, which took place in 1493 and 1460. Breasted's book "A History of Egypt from the Earliest Times to the Persian Conquest" provides a detailed account of the expedition, including the goods that were traded. In 1493, Queen Hatshepsut sent a fleet of five ships to Punt, which returned with a vast array of exotic goods, including 35 pounds of myrrh, a highly prized commodity in ancient Egypt. Historian Gardiner's translation of the Talmis inscription, which dates back to 1460, also provides valuable information about the Punt expedition. By analyzing these primary sources, historians have been able to piece together a more accurate picture of the Punt expedition and its significance in ancient Egyptian history. As historian Redford notes, the Punt expedition was a major undertaking that required significant resources and planning, and its success had a major impact on the Egyptian economy. In 1460, the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III also sent a fleet to Punt, which returned with a large quantity of gold and other precious commodities. By examining these historical records, historians can gain a better understanding of the Punt expedition and its place in ancient Egyptian history.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians such as Flinders Petrie and Arthur Weigall chose to focus on the grandeur of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, rather than the intricacies of their trade relationships, which led to the Punt expedition being relegated to a footnote in history. The British Museum's decision to prioritize the display of artifacts from more prominent ancient civilizations also contributed to the lack of attention given to the Punt expedition. Specifically, the museum's curator, Ernest Wallis Budge, made a conscious decision to emphasize the more spectacular discoveries, leaving the Punt expedition to gather dust in the archives. As a result, the story of the Punt expedition was not told because it did not fit the narrative of ancient Egyptian power and dominance that these historians and institutions wanted to convey. The fact that the Punt expedition's records were also scattered across various temples and tombs, with no single, comprehensive account, made it even more challenging for historians to piece together the story.

The Ripple Effect

The Punt expedition's impact can be seen in the modern-day frankincense trade, which still thrives in the Middle East. The ancient Egyptians' desire for this precious resin, which they obtained through their trade with Punt, helped establish frankincense as a highly valued commodity, a status it still holds today. The city of Dubai, in particular, has become a major hub for the frankincense trade, with many merchants still using traditional methods to harvest and transport the resin. This direct link between the Punt expedition and the modern frankincense trade is a concrete consequence of the ancient Egyptians' actions.

The Line That Says It All

The last known record of the Punt expedition is a faded inscription on a temple wall in Thebes, which simply states that the expedition returned with "all kinds of goods" from a land that has since disappeared from the historical record.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to ancient Egyptian trade and diplomacy during the New Kingdom period.