Researchers analyze the surprising smells of ancient Egyptian mummies

Here is a question you probably never thought of: what does Egyptian mummies smell?

An international team of researchers has a surprising answer: Woody, spicy and sweet (but if you are interested in things that smell like things that smell like rotting bodies, See The Corpse Flower). As described in detail in a study published today in A magazine of the American Chemical SocietyResearchers used conventional scientific methods in addition to trained human “sniffles” to analyze the aromas of ancient Egyptian mummies. This creative approach sheds a new light on the iconic mummation process and emphasizes the importance of olfactory heritage.

“The smell of mummified bodies for years has attracted considerable interest from experts and the general public, but so far no combined chemical and perceptual scientific study has been conducted,” Matija Strlič, a chemist at the University College London (UCL) and a leading author of the study’s author, said In a university statement. “This innovative research really helps us to plan to better protect and understand ancient embalming materials. It adds another layer of data to enrich the museum exhibition of mummified bodies. “

Although the aromas are invisible to the human eye, they are actually chemical molecules. As a result, Strlič and his team used gas chromatography (a method that measures the components in sample) and mass spectrometry (a technique that identifies the compounds) for the analysis of chemical molecules emitted by nine mummies in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. They also used professional human “sniffling” (yes, it’s something) to describe the quality, intensity and pleasure of odors.

Through analyzes, the researchers categorized whether the odors came from the ancient mummation technique, modern protection products or potential residues of pesticides and/or from the natural deterioration of the body-all with completely non-invasive and non-destructive methods. In the end, they described the smell as woody, spicy and sweet, which is not surprising, given that the peace, Ladan and wood resins – like pine – are usually used in the process of mummification.

“New information was revealed by the smells, emphasizing the importance of using our senses to understand the past,” says Cecilla Bambiber, a UCL inheritance scientist, who is also involved in the study.

“For the ancient Egyptians, mummification was an important practice of morgue aimed at preserving the body and soul for the beyond through a detailed ritual for embalming of the deceased, using oils, waxes and balsams,” explained Ali Abdellam, director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, who is Co -author of the study. “Practice develops over time and the identification of different techniques and used materials offers views on the era, location and socio -economic status of the individual who is mummified.”

More substantially, the pleasant odors were related to divinity and purity, while bad odors signaled corruption and (perhaps most accurate), according to the researchers.

The team approach can inspire museums to entertain visitors with smelly features like Smishscapes. In fact, researchers are now planning to reconstruct the smell of ancient mummified bodies to share this unconventional approach to studying Egyptian mummies, as well as to emphasize ancient olfactory heritage.

So the next time you try to study something– You smell me!