Ancient Egyptian mummies smell like wood, spice, and sweetness, says a new study from University College London and the University of Ljubljana. The findings shed new light on mummification practices used thousands of years ago.
The study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society is the first to systematically analyze the smells of mummified remains. Researchers used advanced tools, including a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer, along with trained human “sniffers” to detect and describe the odors of nine mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The analysis provided new insights into the materials ancient Egyptians used for embalming, revealing how these practices evolved. It also highlighted how museums have preserved these ancient bodies, often applying modern chemicals that blend with the original scents.
Non-invasive methods offer new insights into ancient artifacts
Lead author Professor Matija Strlič, from UCL and the University of Ljubljana, said the aroma of mummies has long fascinated both scholars and the public, but this is the first study to combine chemical analysis with sensory evaluation.
The research demonstrated that odors can be used as a non-invasive method to study ancient artifacts. Unlike traditional techniques that may damage delicate materials, chemical analysis through smell preserves the items’ integrity while offering valuable historical data.
What do ancient Egyptian mummies smell like?
Dr Cecilia Bembibre Jacobo, co-author of a recent study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society that has investigated the scent of nine mummies using electronic noses and trained human sniffers, explains more to #R4Today. pic.twitter.com/B9W9XCsGVz
— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) February 14, 2025
Dr. Cecilia Bembibre (UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources), added, “Two aspects of this study stand out to me. 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.”
Future of museum displays with recreated ancient scents
The team identified scents from embalming materials, modern preservation chemicals, and natural decay caused by molds and bacteria over time by examining the chemical particles in the air around the mummies. Each odor provided clues about the mummies’ long journey from ancient tombs to modern museum displays.
The study also opens new opportunities for museums to enhance visitor experiences. Researchers plan to create “smellscapes,” allowing museum-goers to experience the scents of ancient Egypt firsthand. This olfactory reconstruction aims to bring history to life, adding another dimension to exhibits traditionally limited to visual displays.
The team hopes to reproduce the original scents of mummified bodies in the future, offering the public a sensory connection to the ancient practices of embalming and preservation.
“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,” Bembibre said.
The study’s collaboration with Egyptian scholars ensured the project honored the cultural and historical significance of the mummies while advancing modern scientific research.