Ancient Egyptian mummies smell nice: scientists reveal the secret of their fragrance

A new study by a team of scientists from University College London (UCL) and the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) has shown that well-preserved Egyptian mummies, contrary to popular belief, do not smell unpleasant at all, reports Phys.org.

When describing the aromas in the course went "wine" terms: "woody", "spicy", "sweet" and even with "notes of flowers". The study was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Why the smell of mummies is important to science

Ancient Egyptians used complex formulations of oils, resins and balms to preserve bodies and their "spirits" in the afterlife. Smell played a symbolic role for them - a pleasant aroma was associated with purity and divinity, while stench was considered a sign of decay and death. Contrary to expectations, modern analysis has shown that the mummies in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo do not have a repulsive odour, but rather resemble a mixture of pine and spicy notes.

How the study was conducted

• Objects analysed
  The scientists took nine mummies up to 5,000 years old for samples, some of which are kept in the collections and others are on display.
• Methods
  The researchers used a so-called "olfactory panel" (a group of people analysing the smell) and special chemical analysers to identify substances emitted by sarcophagi, fabrics and other elements of burials.
• Objective
  To find out which molecules form the odour, to determine whether the odour is due to decomposition or mould, and to find out the influence of preservation agents used in the museum.

Key findings and discoveries

1. A pleasant bouquet of aromas
   The researchers expected that the mummies might have an odour of decomposition, but the results showed the opposite: the most frequent descriptions were "woody", "spicy" and "sweetish". Scientists speculate that most of the aromatic molecules are formed by the softwood resins (such as pine or juniper) used in embalming.

2. No evidence of microbial decay
   The team found no characteristic notes associated with organic decomposition and no clear evidence of fungi, bacteria or other microorganisms.

3. Storage conditions
   The study showed that the microclimate of the premises in the Egyptian Museum favours good preservation of mummies, preventing active development of microbes. This is particularly valuable for museum workers seeking to prolong the "life" of ancient artefacts.

4. Future study of "molecules of the past"
   Experts emphasise that the scent we smell today may differ from the original aromas that existed thousands of years ago. Over the past centuries, the composition and concentration of odour substances may have changed due to evaporation, oxidation and external storage conditions. Nevertheless, the study of the "fragrant portrait" of mummies provides new opportunities for understanding Ancient Egyptian rituals and improving conservation methods.

Expanding the possibilities of museum displays

One of the study's authors, Dr Cecilia Bembibre, plans to use the findings to create 'smellscapes' that could enliven museum visits: "Many collections are viewed behind glass and we miss the tactile and olfactory aspects. Recreating an authentic scent will allow us to delve deeper into history and culture."