R. A. Donkin

Dragon's Brain Perfume: an Historical Geography of Camphor (Brill's Indological Library, V. 14) R. A. Donkin

In this text the existence and importance of world systems of exchange becomes clear. In the pre-industrial world aromatic substances have always counted among the most prominent items of long-distance trade. The finest camphor came from Malaya, Borneo and Sumatra, but long-distance trade took it to societies at the geographical poles of demand - China and the medieval West - in late Antiquity (6th century AD). In India it was in use at an even earlier period. This monograph opens with a survey of aromata generally - origins, time and place of demand - from the Ancient Civilizations to the Age of Discoveries. Chapter two concerns the natural history of camphor, with subsequent chapters organized by regions, with a postscript on origins and diffusion. Evidence is drawn from an extensive range of sources in natural and cultural history.