The scent of antiquity: Scientists have revealed the aroma of Egyptian mummies.

The lives of scientists are always filled with the quest for answers to important questions that occupy the minds of humanity. Have you ever been curious about what Egyptian mummies smell like? Even if you haven't, they found out anyway.

However, the question may turn out to be more complex than it seems at first glance. The research was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society in February 2025.

If you’re wondering, "Why not just smell them?", it's important to note that some odors could have developed due to the slow decomposition process, while others may have emerged from the preservatives used in museums. And yes, experts did indeed smell them.

According to the researchers, experts described the smells as "woody," "spicy," "sweet," and less frequently, "herbaceous."

Additionally, an analysis of volatile organic compounds and a microbiological analysis were conducted. Furthermore, scientists checked the museum archives and discovered that some mummies were treated with natural oils for preservation.

Ultimately, all volatile particles were categorized into four groups:

• Materials used for mummification by ancient Egyptians. This category included scents of cedar, juniper, frankincense, and myrrh. Some of these have degraded over time, forming new compounds with different smells.
• Preservatives introduced in the museum, which somewhat influenced the odor. These include oils and pesticides with scents of clove, lemon, basil, and cinnamon.
• Decomposition products resulting from the action of bacteria and fungi. These include hexanone, heptanone, and terpenes, which can alter the smell towards a more rancid, soapy, or earthy scent.
• Synthetic, odorless pesticides. Although their use was not documented, they were found in some mummies.

Moreover, scientists were able to determine that mummies from the New Kingdom period (1550-1070 BC) utilized more complex mummification recipes due to a wider variety of aromatic compounds. In contrast, mummies from the Late Period (664-332 BC) exhibited similar scents, suggesting that the Egyptians of that time may have had a unified mummification technique.

While the study may seem odd, it could potentially aid in more accurately recreating the atmosphere of the past for museum visitors.

As previously reported, archaeologists in the Netherlands discovered a pagan worship site where “devil's money” was sacrificed. This find is valuable not only for shedding light on the lives of people who lived in that region during pre-Christian times but also for possibly indicating a shift in eras.