Why do mummies smell so sweet?

Researchers are investigating whether the smell of an Egyptian mummy could enable them to discover what materials were used to preserve the body without disturbing it. They extracted air from the sarcophagi of nine mummies and asked expert smellers to rate the scents for contemporary odour qualities such as woodiness and sweetness.

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They then analysed each air sample to identify volatile compounds responsible for certain smells. The team also hope their work can provide curators with a synthetic recreation of how mummies smell to make exhibits more engaging.

Researchers from UCL and the University of Ljubljana conducted the first-ever systematic analysis of the smells associated with mummified bodies. Using advanced technology, including an electronic ‘nose’ and trained human sniffers, they examined nine mummies displayed and stored at Cairo’s Egyptian Museum.

Figure 1. (A) Coffin with a mummified body (M7) in the display area of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Coffin with a mummified body in the display area of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

The findings, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, offer a new perspective on ancient embalming practices and how museums preserve these historical artifacts.

“The smell of mummified bodies has for years attracted significant interest from experts and the general public, but no combined chemical and perceptual scientific study has been conducted until now,” said Professor Matija Strlič, lead author of the study. “This ground-breaking research really helps us better plan conservation and understand the ancient embalming materials. It adds another layer of data to enrich the museum exhibition of mummified bodies.”

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To identify the chemicals released by the mummies, the team used a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer. A panel of trained sniffers also evaluated the scents’ quality and intensity, allowing researchers to distinguish between odors originating from the original mummification process and those from modern conservation methods.

Dr. Cecilia Bembibre, a member of the research team, highlighted two significant aspects of the study: “First, new information was revealed by the smells, highlighting the importance of using our senses to understand the past. Secondly, while most of the studies on mummified bodies have taken place in European museums so far, here we worked closely with Egyptian colleagues to ensure their expertise and perceptual experience were represented, and we jointly developed an ethical and respectful approach to studying the mummified bodies.”

One of the study’s key findings is the ancient Egyptians’ awareness of the link between scent and purity, particularly in the embalming of gods and pharaohs. The process involved oils, resins, and balms such as pine, cedar, myrrh, and frankincense, which still emit pleasant aromas after 5,000 years.

In the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament, Psalm 45 offers a clue to how the ancients felt about fragrance: “All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia”).

In Psalm 141, prayers are likened to incense. The sense of smell is one of the oldest in animal evolution. And, even if it is not the prime sense for humans, it remains one of great potency.

Interestingly, the presence of myrrh and frankincense has led some researchers to speculate about a historical connection to the gifts brought by the Three Wise Men to the newborn Jesus, as described in the Christian tradition. These valuable resins, known for their spiritual and preservative properties, were highly prized in the ancient world and were commonly used in religious rituals and burial practices. Is there a link to the materials used in mummification or at the Jewish Temple as offerings?

Looking ahead, the research team aims to create “smellscapes” – recreations of the scents of ancient mummified bodies – to enhance museum exhibitions. This innovative approach could allow visitors to experience history in a new, immersive way, not only enriching our understanding of the past but also transforming how we engage with it.

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