Fragrance History
The archived quotation describes Marco Polo’s 1294 account connecting ambergris with the sperm whale and trade on Socotra. It is presented here as a historical text, not a complete modern scientific explanation.
Essential Details
Ambergris: A Historical Perfume Account at a Glance
- Subject: Ambergris
- Historical figure named: Marco Polo
- Date stated in source: 1294
- Place named: Socotra
What the Passage Records
The quotation captures how a Western traveler described ambergris, whales, and trade in the late thirteenth century. Its value is historical: it shows what was reported and circulated.
How to Read Historical Sources
Old accounts can preserve important observations while also reflecting the vocabulary and knowledge of their time. Use them alongside carefully verified modern sources.
Why it matters
Historical perfume writing reveals how materials were understood, valued, and traded—not just how they smelled.