Frankincense Trade Commodity

Timeline

1. -500–200Dhofar · DhofarFrankincense resin gathered in southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa was carried by camel caravan to Yemeni ports, then shipped via the Red Sea and Indian Ocean routes to Egypt, Rome, Persia, and beyond.
2. 800–1220Aden · AdenMedieval ports such as Aden and Qishn remained frankincense distribution centers; Islamic merchants transshipped frankincense and myrrh to Baghdad, Cairo, and Mediterranean ports, supplying religious ceremonies and medical markets.
3. 1500–1700Indian Ocean · West AsiaAfter European powers such as Portugal entered the Indian Ocean spice trade, the traditional Arabian frankincense routes declined in relative importance, though gathering at the source and regional trade continued.