Lost Kingdom of Punt

The Kingdom of Punt, called "God's Land" by the Ancient Egyptians, was a rich and vital trading partner to them known for its spices, incense, animals, and precious goods, yet its exact location and history remain elusive. Egyptian records confirm its existence and detail expeditions from as early as 2500 BC to the 11th century BC, including vivid depictions from Pharaoh Hatshepsut's temple showing Puntites in stilted homes and delivering exotic treasures like frankincense and electrum. Despite these accounts, no known Puntite ruins have ever been discovered, and almost everything we know comes from Egyptian art, scattered inscriptions, and ancient economic records.

Trade was Punt's defining feature, with Egypt importing an astonishing array of goods-myrrh, ivory, live baboons, panther skins, and more-but scholars caution that many items may have originated from other regions before passing through Punt. Interpretations of hieroglyphs, inconsistent Egyptian art, and unclear trading routes complicate efforts to pinpoint Punt's true identity, which might have been a state, tribe, or loose confederation rather than a kingdom in the traditional sense. Some evidence even hints at deep cultural ties between Punt and Egypt, suggesting shared ancestry, practices, and even fashion influences like the false beard.

Competing theories place it on the Arabian Peninsula, in modern Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, or even far-off regions like Sri Lanka. While modern studies, including DNA tests on mummified baboons, point toward the Horn of Africa-especially Eritrea and Ethiopia-the lack of archaeological evidence means the question is still open.

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