Frankincense, the aromatic sap from the frankincense tree, was a highly prized commodity in the ancient times. It was believed to have medicinal value, and was used to treat a multitude of sicknesses. To this day, frankincense is still widely used as a medicine in the Arabian Peninsula. Frankincense also was believed to ward of evil spirits. To give you an idea of how highly prized it was, in the book of Exodus in the bible, God commanded that a special incense to be used in holy ceremonies be made with frankincense. The Queen of Sheba brought frankincense to King Solomon as a gift when she went to meet him in person, and when the Magi (aka wise men) came to worship the new King of the Jews, they brought frankincense as a gift to Baby Jesus. Egyptians and Romans used it in their temples. Frankincense is still used today in many sacred ceremonies.

Frankincense only grows in a few places in the world, with the undisputed best quality coming from what today is called Southern Oman. The frankincense trade from Southern Oman dates back to 5000 BC. In the first century AD, Pilney recorded that the people of southern Arabia were the richest in the world from the frankincense trade. At the height of the trade in the 2nd century AD, no less than 3000 tons of frankincense were transported a year, both by land and by sea. One of the most powerful cities in the region, thanks to the frankincense trade, was Ubar, mentioned in the bible as a city of golden pillars. Oman also was referred to as a “mountain of copper” and had a vigorous copper trade, as well. Job, from the same named book of the bible, is believed to be from Southern Oman and is buried there. Visitors can go and visit Job’s grave near Salalah.

The country slipped into a long period of isolation that lasted until Continue reading →