Have you ever wondered what ancient mummies smell like? You might expect an unpleasant odor from bodies preserved for thousands of years, but new research tells a different story. A scent analysis of Egyptian mummies—some dating back to 1539 BCE—has uncovered an unexpectedly pleasant and aromatic fragrance. This fascinating discovery is changing the way we think about Egyptian burial rituals and their use of luxurious scents. So, what do mummies really smell like? Let’s find out!
According to research published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Egyptian mummies continue to astonish the world. These time-defying bodies, embalmed centuries ago, have preserved much of the pleasant aromas from the aromatic oils and waxesoriginally applied to them!
The research team describes the scent as 'hedonically pleasant.' The team conducted scent analyses on nine mummiesfrom the New Kingdom period (dating back to 1539 BCE), currently housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Lead author Professor Matija Strlič explained the findings:
'The scent of mummified bodies has fascinated both experts and the general public for years. However, until now, no combined chemical and sensory scientific study had been conducted.'
The mummies were found to emit spicy and sweet aromas.
According to fragrance experts' reports, the mummies' scents were composed of:
78% woody notes
67% spicy notes
56% sweet aromas
In addition to traditional chemical analyses, researchers used an electronic 'nose' to detect scent patterns. The study found that:
Only one-third of the mummies had 'stale' or 'bitter' odors.
Another one-third emitted 'incense-like' fragrances.
The volatile compounds emitted by the mummies are believed to originate from the oils, resins, and waxes used during the mummification process. Researchers identified several aromatic compounds, including:
Pine resin
Limonene (a natural organic compound found in citrus peels)
Verbenone (a terpene found in various plants)
Terpenoids (compounds contributing to the scent of eucalyptus, the flavor of cinnamon, clove, and ginger, the yellow color of sunflowers, and the red hue of tomatoes)
Thanks to these compounds, the mummies' fragrances point to the use of:
Cedar or pine resin
Myrrh and frankincense
Thyme, lavender, and eucalyptus
Additionally, borneol, a component found in camphor, was also detected, indicating the use of camphor tree wood.
The researchers successfully separated the aromatic compounds into categories:
From embalming materials
From plant oils and insect repellents added during modern preservation efforts
From mold and other microbes
Interestingly, displayed mummies were found to have stronger and more complex scents than those kept in storage. The most likely reason? The accumulation of volatile compounds within the exhibition cases!