For millennia, the secrets of Egyptian mummification have been preserved in silent, timeworn tombs. Now, for the first time, science has uncovered not just how the ancients preserved their dead—but how they smelled.
A groundbreaking study, led by researchers from UCL and the University of Ljubljana, has revealed that mummified bodies from ancient Egypt carried rich, evocative scents—woody, spicy, and sweet—offering a sensory glimpse into the embalming rituals of the past.
Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, this research marks the first systematic analysis of mummy scents, using a fusion of instrumental and sensory techniques—including an advanced electronic “nose” and expert human “sniffers.” Examining nine ancient mummies, the team decoded the aromatic fingerprint of embalming materials, unlocking a new dimension of Egypt’s most mysterious funerary practice.
Through the power of scent, the past breathes again.
“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 Lead author, Professor Matija Strlič (UCL Bartlett School Environment, Energy & Resources and the University of Ljubljana. “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.”
Odors are airborne chemical molecules released by substances. Researchers analyzed the chemical emissions from nine ancient Egyptian mummies (both on display and in storage at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo) using a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer. Simultaneously, a trained panel of human “sniffers” evaluated the smells’ quality, intensity, and pleasantness.
This combined approach allowed the researchers to pinpoint the source of each odor chemical: whether it originated from the mummies themselves, from later additions like conservation products or pesticides, or from natural decomposition processes caused by molds, bacteria, and other microorganisms. The study highlights the value of odor analysis as a non-invasive and non-destructive technique for chemically characterizing and studying ancient remains.
Co-author, Professor Ali Abdelhalim, director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, said: “To the ancient Egyptians, mummification was an important mortuary practice aimed at preserving the body and soul for the afterlife through a detailed ritual of embalming of the deceased using oils, waxes and balms. The practice evolved over time, and identifying different techniques and materials used offers insights into the era, location and socioeconomic status of the individual being mummified.”
Smell was a key consideration for the ancient Egyptians during the mummification process, as pleasant odors were associated with the bodies of deities and their purity, while foul odors were considered indications of a body’s corruption and decay. Even today, about 5,000 years later, conservators often describe the aroma of these mummified bodies as ‘pleasant,’ as it is the product of coniferous resins and oils (such as pine, cedar, and juniper), gum resins (like myrrh and frankincense), and waxes.
