In this fascinating and beautifully illustrated study of the fragrant resin crystal once valued as highly as gold, Juliet Highet takes readers back through time and over the Frankincense Trail, from Southern Arabia to Ancient Rome. The land of frankincense - three ancient Omani cities connected with the frankincense trade - were recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history and value of the resin, once as important to the ancient Arabian world as oil is now, is not widely appreciated today. This stunning book that combines travel writing, history, and a glimpse into the world of perfumery explores every aspect of these fragrant, ivory- coloured "pearls," from frankincense"s harvesting beneath the barks of desert trees, through the vital role it played in the culture of the old Middle East, to its use today in aromatherapy and perfume. Hundreds of colour photographs illustrate the cultivation and preparation of frankincense today along the historic incense routes, while artworks and maps reveal how this luxury item was for thousands of years so crucial to the economy and life of Arabia.