In a study that literally passed the odor test, the researchers found that ancient Egyptian mummies retained unique aromas that could provide valuable insights into their preservation methods and historical context. The study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, reveals that these millennium history remain a surprisingly pleasant bouquet of woody, spicy and sweet aromas.
An international team of scientists working with the Cairo Egyptian Museum conducted the first systematic analysis of volatile compounds emitted by nine mummies, covering nearly 200,000 years of Egyptian history. The study combines advanced chemical analysis with trained human “sniffers” to decode the complex aromatic features of these ancient remains.
“What really surprised me was how odor these odors were, suggesting significant differences in mummification and preservation status,” said study co-author Matija Strlič.
The study focuses on mummies from different historical periods, from the New Kingdom (1500 B.C.) to the Byzantine period (300-400 AD). The team used a technique called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze air samples collected from mummies stored and displayed in Egyptian museums.
Their discoveries challenge the general perception of the tastelessness of historical relics. In fact, the unique aroma of the mummy provides valuable clues about the practice of ancient Egyptian morgues, where careful physical preparation is considered essential to the journey of the soul in the afterlife.
The study shows that mummies on display usually emit a stronger odor than stored mummies, which may be due to the accumulation of volatile compounds in their sealed display cases. It is worth noting that the researchers found that the mummy’s protective state did not affect the intensity of its odor, although it did affect the overall composition of the aromatic compound.
According to co-author Celia Bembibre, “Smells are part of the value of mummy corpses, and museum visitors cannot obtain this knowledge, while museum visitors can only see them behind display cabinets.”
The team identified four different sources of mummy aroma: original mummified materials, microbial activity, natural oils for pest control, and modern synthetic pesticides for conservation efforts. Their analysis suggests that because more sophisticated mummification practices are often reserved for members of the elite of society, the quality and type of anticorrosion materials may be related to the social status of the deceased.
These findings are particularly important for museum conservation practices. Identification of specific compounds, including potentially harmful synthetic pesticides, can help museums develop better preservation strategies and safer handling protocols for these ancient artifacts.
The team is now working to recreate these historical fragrances for museum exhibitions, aiming to provide visitors with a more immersive understanding of the practice of mummification in ancient Egypt. This innovative approach to studying ancient remains shows how modern science and technology reveals new dimensions of historical relics, which literally adds another meaning to our understanding of the past.
The study was supported by the Slovenian Agency for Research and Innovation and the Polish National Science Center.
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