Ancient Egyptian mummies, preserved for millennia, continue to emit pleasant scents due to the aromatic resins and waxes used in their embalming, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Ljubljana conducted the first systematic analysis of mummy aromatics, using both chemical analysis and trained human sniffers to assess the odors emitted by the mummies.
The study examined nine mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, dating from the New Kingdom period starting around 1550 BCE to the Late Period up to the fourth century CE. The researchers used gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to measure and quantify the volatile organic compounds emitted by the mummies. They found that the bodies still contain aromatic resins of pine, cedar, juniper, myrrh, and frankincense, as well as waxes used for embalming, which contribute to their pleasant scents.
"For the ancient Egyptians, mummification was a fundamental funerary practice aimed at preserving both the body and the soul for the afterlife, through a meticulous embalming process with oils, waxes, and balms," said Professor Ali Abdelhalim, director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and co-author of the study, according to Futura Sciences.
The pleasant aromas of the mummies were described as woody, spicy, and sweet by the trained sniffers involved in the study. Specifically, 78% described the scent as woody, 67% as spicy, and 56% as sweet, primarily due to the resins and oils used in the embalming process.
"We were surprised at the pleasantness of them," said Cecilia Bembibre, a researcher at UCL and co-author of the study, highlighting the unexpected nature of the mummies' aroma, as reported by The Independent. "Observing the mummified bodies through a glass case reduces the experience because we don't get to smell them. We don't get to know about the mummification process in an experiential way, which is one of the ways that we understand and engage with the world," she added.
Matija Strlič, lead author from UCL, expressed relief that the study did not reveal any signs of decaying bodies or microbial degradation. "We were specifically worried that there might be indications of microbial degradation, but that was not the case, which means that the environment in this museum is actually quite good in terms of preservation," he said, according to The Independent. He noted that their technique—analyzing air molecules emitted from the sarcophagi—allows researchers to assess a mummy's condition without making physical contact.
The researchers found that the pleasant scents are not only due to the original embalming materials but also influenced by the storage conditions in the museum. Mummies kept in display cases produced a richer variety of scents, particularly pleasant-smelling organic compounds called terpenoids, lactones, and phenolics. This difference might stem from better preservation conditions in sealed display cases, which trap and preserve ancient aromas that would otherwise dissipate, as reported by studyfinds.org.
In ancient Egyptian culture, pleasant aromas represented purity and divine presence, reinforcing their significance in rituals and beliefs. Unpleasant smells were associated with corruption and decay. The study offers insights into the materials used in mummification and how practices and components evolved over time, providing context about the era, location, and socioeconomic status of the individuals being mummified.
"Over thousands of years, evaporation, oxidation, and even storage conditions have significantly altered the original scent profile," said Barbara Huber, a researcher involved in the study, according to The Independent.
The researchers plan to reconstruct the scent of the mummified bodies using safe substances, enabling museums to engage visitors through olfactory landscapes.