Innovation No. 73 of 77 in the book
International Trade Mission
Hatshepsut’s fleet sailed to Punt, a Red Sea region known for incense and exotic goods
- When
- c. 1473 BCE
- Dynasty
- 18th Dynasty
- Era
- New Kingdom
Around 1473 BCE, the female pharaoh Hatshepsut sent a grand seagoing expedition to a distant land called Punt — the first well-documented long-distance trade mission.
Five ships sailed the Red Sea and came home loaded with living incense trees, ebony, gold, ivory and exotic animals. She had the whole voyage, ships and cargo and all, carved onto her temple walls.
It wasn’t conquest; it was commerce — a state expedition to trade with a faraway partner and bring the wealth home.
The first great trade voyage in the record set sail from Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for international trade mission in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 1473 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom (18th Dynasty). Around 1473 BCE, the female pharaoh Hatshepsut sent a grand seagoing expedition to a distant land called Punt — the first well-documented long-distance trade mission.
How did ancient Egyptians develop international trade mission, and what is its legacy?
Five ships sailed the Red Sea and came home loaded with living incense trees, ebony, gold, ivory and exotic animals. She had the whole voyage, ships and cargo and all, carved onto her temple walls. Five ships sailed the Red Sea and came home loaded with living incense trees, ebony, gold, ivory and exotic animals. She had the whole voyage, ships and cargo and all, carved onto her temple walls. The first great trade voyage in the record set sail from Egypt.