Deciphering Ancient Egyptian Mummies’ Aroma: Notes of Cheese, Vomit, and Urine Unveiled
The Enduring Scent of Egyptian Mummies: A Mix of Spices and Decay
Centuries after their preparation, Egyptian mummies still emit a complex blend of aromas—woodsy, spicy, and sweet—lingering remnants of the scented oils and waxes used to preserve them for the afterlife. However, modern analyses reveal less pleasant undertones, including hints of cheese, vomit, and urine, caused by the breakdown of ancient embalming materials.
Studying the Smell of History
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society deconstructed these odors using four trained “sniffers” and chemical analysis. Researchers collected scent samples from nine mummies at Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, dating from 1500 BC to 500 AD. The sniffers, who previously analyzed historic paintings, identified odors ranging from incense and pine to stale, moldy notes, with minimal fungal or bacterial smells—a testament to the Egyptians’ enduring embalming techniques.
Mummification preserved bodies but left a scent legacy of spices and decay.
Decoding the Aromas
The mummies’ primary scents traced back to resins like frankincense and myrrh, as well as plant oils. Over time, however, degraded materials introduced less appealing odors. For example, compounds linked to fats and proteins produced cheesy or vomit-like smells. High-status mummies, like one adorned with a gold mask, retained more original embalming notes, suggesting elite preservation methods were more effective.
Professor Matija Strlič, co-author of the study, emphasized that modern conservation efforts—pesticides and storage methods—also influence the smells. Understanding these layers helps historians reconstruct the past through scent, offering a multisensory glimpse into ancient rituals.
The Ancient Art of Embalming
Mummification aimed to prevent decay, using oils, waxes, and balms to purify the body. Egyptians associated pleasant smells with divinity, believing they drew the deceased closer to the gods.
