Soap making is a truly ancient craft that began in the early civilisations of Egypt and Babylonia. In ancient in Babylon, in Mesopotamia, a clay tablet recorded an ancient soap-making recipe that dates to around 2800 BC. The recipe mixed animal fats with plant-based alkalis to create a compound that today we would call soap!
We know the ancient Egyptians used plants oils for cleaning their bodies, but they have left behind artefacts that reveal that they also made soaps. The Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical text from about 1550 BC, contained a soap recipe that used animal fats and vegetable oils combined with soda ash to make soap. Ash, from plants like saltwort, contained alkalis that activated the saponification process. (Saponification is the name for the chemical reaction that happens when you mix a strong alkali with animal fats or plant oils into soap. Today, the alkali we use in soap making we call 'lye').
While ancient civilisations had recipes for soap-making, we don’t know how common soaps were in the typical person’s daily routine. But we do know that ancient Egyptians viewed cleanliness as a pathway to health and divine favour. The Egyptians bathed regularly, but especially before rituals. Bathing was not merely a physical act but a spiritual one, believed to purify the body and the soul.
The Evolution of Soap Making Techniques
Over the years, Artisans began mixing fragrances and enhancing soaps with essential oils like myrrh and frankincense. These lovely essences improved the soap's scent, but they also provided medicinal benefits, turning soap into a luxurious item valued for its therapeutic properties.
In Babylon, this evolution was echoed as soap-making techniques became refined and widely acknowledged. Famed for their high-quality soaps, Babylonian products were sought after by traders. They often sold soaps infused with local scents to nearby cultures, further spreading their techniques.
Rituals and Cultural Significance
Soap possessed cultural significance that extended beyond cleaning in ancient Egypt. Cleansing rituals were common, especially among Pharaohs and high-ranking officials, who would bathe before ceremonies. This practice symbolised purity and readiness for divinely significant tasks. Moreover, soap was integral in the embalming processes, reflecting its sacred status in society.
In Babylonia, while soap was more practical, cleanliness was treated as a virtue, linked to enhanced cultural and religious values. Daily cleansing became integral to ordinary life. For instance, it is reported that around 80 percent of Babylonian citizens practiced some form of daily hygiene, underscoring the importance placed on cleanliness.
Commercialization of Soap
As time progressed into the Roman Empire, knowledge of soap-making spread from Egypt and Babylonia to Europe and the Mediterranean. The techniques established by these civilisations helped develop the thriving soap industry we know today. Soap transformed into a valuable trade commodity, prompting communities to integrate local ingredients into their soap-making.
During this commercialisation, innovation took off. Discoveries of new plant bases and methods of saponification soon transformed soap. Market demands led to the creation of luxurious soaps that catered to elite preferences for exotic aromas and high-quality formulations.
Lasting Legacy
The ancient art of soap making in Egypt and Babylonia has left a wonderful legacy that inspires Tor & Co soap making today! As a contemporary soap maker, I still use ingredients and techniques that date back thousands of years. Essential oils, natural ingredients, and a focus on the joy of self care and nurturing our bodies remain at the heart of Tor & Co soap formulations.
From the early origins in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to today, this journey reminds us of humanity's enduring quest for cleanliness on both physical and spiritual levels.
We respect the ancient roots of this timeless craft by continuing the tradition of using proper soap made from oils or fats to cleanse our bodies today.
Watch this space for the next Tor&Co blog about the benefits of real soap!
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