Researchers took a whiff of Egyptian mummies for science — they ‘were surprised by the pleasantness of them’
At first whiff, it sounds repulsive: sniff the essence of an ancient corpse. But researchers who indulged their curiosity in the name of science found that well-preserved Egyptian mummies actually smell pretty good.
Scientists Sniffed Ancient Egyptian Mummies And Got a Surprise
With help from some perfumers, we brought back smells such as 17th-century Amsterdam, with its canals and linden trees. As a result, for example, visitors to Museum Ulm in southern Germany can experience our olfactory interpretations for ten of the paintings on display.
New study reveals that ancient Egyptian mummies smell ‘spicy’ and ‘sweet’
A new study has uncovered the "woody," "spicy," and "sweet" scents of ancient Egyptian mummies, shedding light on the mummification process and its evolution over time. View on euronews
Ancient Egyptian mummies still carry their original scents
Scientists studied the scents of ancient Egyptian mummies, revealing embalming materials and conservation effects.
What do ancient Egyptian mummies smell like? Probably not what you think
Explore the surprising scents of ancient Egyptian mummies, revealing woody and sweet notes that defy expectations.
What do Egyptian mummies smell like? Surprisingly pleasant.
Even around 5,000 years after their embalming, Strlič and collaborators described the bodies as smelling “pleasant.” This is largely thanks to the materials applied to the mummies, which included scented waxes, coniferous resins and oils made from pine, cedar, and juniper, as well as gum resins such as frankincense and myrrh.
Smell of Ancient Egyptian Mummies Reveals New Insights Into Embalming Practices
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.
Mummy quiz: Can you unwrap these ancient Egyptian mysteries?
Mummification was a sacred funeral rite for the ancient Egyptians, who believed that the body of the deceased needed to be preserved so that their spiritual essence could transcen
Scent of Ancient Mummies May Surprise You
Soon, visitors to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo will be able to catch a whiff of humans who died thousands of years ago. A new study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society suggests they might be pleasantly surprised.
How do mummies smell? Like pine, cedar, juniper, myrrh, and frankincense
Researchers find that aromatic resins used in mummification continue to produce sweet, woody, and spicy scents.
Smithsonian Magazine on MSN5d
Discover the Aromas of Ancient Egyptian Mummies, From Orange Peels to Pine to Incense
A new, first-of-its-kind analysis of the scents of nine mummies detected woody, spicy, herbal and rancid notes, among other ...