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Perhaps "woody, spicy, and sweet" aren't the first words you would associate with Ancient Egypt... or mummies. But for researchers who examined 5,000-year-old corpses, the surprisingly pleasant scent was certainly something that stood out.
Oils and balms played a significant role in the process of mummification and the spiritual practices associated with preparations for the afterlife.
Want to learn more about the smells of Ancient Egypt? Click on.
If you had to guess what an ancient Egyptian mummy smells like, what would come to mind?
Researchers have been sniffing around in the name of science. According to a February 2025 study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, mummies smell good.
Researchers from across Europe and Egypt worked with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to take air samples around each mummy.
The samples underwent chemical analyses and were then tested by “specially trained human ‘sniffers.” Yes, that’s a thing.
To ensure that the samples collected were as non-invasive as possible, scientists placed small tubes around nine mummies, inside the sarcophaguses, without touching the remains.
The air samples they collected were actually “gas molecules that the remains were still emitting.”
The task to identify the smells’ chemical compounds was conducted using “gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.”
The group underwent specific training for the task. They were taught to identify particular materials and how to distinguish between the smells of mummies and the museum environment.
The findings are fascinating. Often, the scent was described with words like “woody, spicy, and sweet.”
The project prioritized training museum workers for the task, as their proximity to artifacts and constant engagement can enrich visitors’ experiences.
Researchers believe that by integrating scent into the museum experience, the glimpse into ancient history becomes much more interesting and layered.
Researchers hope to expand this study to include more mummies, as the process of mummification also evolved over time and there are likely differences between time periods.
The first mummies occurred around 5000 BCE. They underwent natural mummification by being buried in hot sand.
About 2000 years later, artificial mummification gave rise to a much more sophisticated form of mummification, which continued to develop and peaked around 1500 BCE.
Oils, waxes, resins, and balms were used to treat the corpses in preparation for the mummification process and their transition to the afterlife.
The quality of the materials, and thus, the differences in smell, is likely a reflection of access based on social class.
According to the research, the bodies of elites were adorned with natural salts and resins from rare herbs.
Salts and other materials were constantly reused for the bodies of people belonging to lower social classes.
This insight into the differences in social class is useful for professionals in several fields, not only conservators.
The coffin quality certainly impacted the preservation of scent for the mummified bodies. The better the packaging, the better the smell held.
Even though it was the oldest of the bunch, a mummy preserved in a gilded mask held higher concentrations of scents in comparison to its counterparts.
In addition to identifying smells to further the museum experience, some odors can actually indicate other important indicators for conservation purposes.
The chemical analyses conducted by the researchers were also able to break down other odors that may indicate the presence of “mold, bacteria, or microorganisms.”
Researchers also identified odors that were related to the “break-down of animal fats.” These fats were used in the embalming process.
The scent could indicate that the mummy needs some intervention to continue to conserve its remains.
Of course, there is an issue of accuracy. After thousands of years, "evaporation, oxidation, and even storage conditions have significantly altered the original scent profile.”
In a previous study, researchers sought to identify embalming ingredients by analyzing residue from the jar they were stored in. The researchers worked with a perfumer to create a replication of the scent, aptly called 'Scent of Eternity,' which accompanied an exhibition at the Moesgaard Museum in Denmark (pictured).
Researchers are hoping to conduct the same exercise with this research project. The idea is to create "smellscapes" for museum visitors, allowing for a multisensory engagement with history.
Sources: (Scientific American) (BBC) (CNN)
See also: Archaeologists have unearthed the resting place of King Thutmose II
The sniffer team, which mostly consisted of museum employees, was asked to describe the smells with descriptive words to best translate how the bodies of these ancient beings were holding up.
What the smell of mummies tells us about Ancient Egypt
Sweet and spicy
LIFESTYLE Scent
Perhaps "woody, spicy, and sweet" aren't the first words you would associate with Ancient Egypt... or mummies. But for researchers who examined 5,000-year-old corpses, the surprisingly pleasant scent was certainly something that stood out.
Oils and balms played a significant role in the process of mummification and the spiritual practices associated with preparations for the afterlife.
Want to learn more about the smells of Ancient Egypt? Click on.