Dragon's Brain Perfume: An Historical Geography of Camphor

In the "Dragon's Brain Perfume" (a Chinese description of Camphor) once more 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 already in late Antiquity (ca. 6th century A.D.). In "India" it was in use at an even much earlier period. The present 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; subsequent chapters are organized by regions ("India, Western Asia, the medieval West, South East Asia, China and Japan"), with a postscript on Origins and Diffusion. Evidence is drawn from an extensive range of sources in natural and cultural history.The work includes 15 original maps, 28 illustrations, and an extensive bibliography.