20 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

What Did Mummies Smell Like in Ancient Egypt? The Surprisingly Pleasant Results Revealed

A groundbreaking study led by researchers from University College London’s Institute for Sustainable Heritage and the University of Ljubljana has unveiled that ancient Egyptian mummified bodies emit scents described as “woody,” “spicy,” and “sweet.”

The research, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, is the first systematic study of the smells associated with mummified bodies, utilizing a combination of instrumental and sensory techniques, including an electronic ‘nose’ and trained human ‘sniffers.’

The study focused on nine mummified bodies housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, providing fresh insights into the materials and methods used in ancient mummification practices. By analyzing the emitted odors, researchers aim to enhance conservation strategies and protect these invaluable artifacts while preserving their olfactory heritage.

Lead author Professor Matija Strlič emphasized the significance of this research, stating, “The smell of mummified bodies has long intrigued both experts and the public, yet no comprehensive chemical and sensory study has been conducted until now. Our findings not only aid in conservation planning but also enrich the museum experience for visitors.”

Co-author Dr. Cecilia Bembibre highlighted two key aspects of the study: the revelation of new information through scent and the collaborative effort with Egyptian colleagues to ensure an ethical approach to the research. This partnership underscores the importance of integrating local expertise in understanding ancient practices.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



The researchers employed a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer to analyze the chemical compounds released by the mummies. Additionally, trained sniffers assessed the quality, intensity, and pleasantness of the odors. This dual approach allowed the team to distinguish between scents originating from the mummies themselves, conservation materials, and natural degradation processes.

In this undated photo provided by Abdelrazek Elnaggar, Emma Paolin, PhD student at the University of Ljubljana, sets up active air sampling with sorbent tubes and pumps. Credit: Abdelrazek Elnaggar
In this undated photo provided by Abdelrazek Elnaggar, Emma Paolin, PhD student at the University of Ljubljana, sets up active air sampling with sorbent tubes and pumps. Credit: Abdelrazek Elnaggar

The findings suggest that the pleasant aromas associated with these mummies stem from the use of coniferous resins, oils, and balms during the embalming process. These substances were not only crucial for preservation but also held symbolic significance, as pleasant scents were linked to purity and the divine in ancient Egyptian culture.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to create “smellscapes” that will allow museum visitors to experience the scents of ancient mummified bodies, enhancing their understanding of this aspect of Egyptian heritage. Professor Ali Abdelhalim, director of the Egyptian Museum, noted that mummification was a vital ritual aimed at preserving the deceased for the afterlife, and understanding the materials used can provide insights into the social status and era of the individuals.

While the study offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, it also raises questions about the changes in scent profiles over millennia. As Barbara Huber, a researcher not involved in the study, pointed out, the odors detected today may differ significantly from those present at the time of mummification due to factors like evaporation and storage conditions.

In conclusion, this innovative research not only sheds light on the ancient practices of mummification but also opens new avenues for museum engagement, allowing audiences to connect with history through their sense of smell. As the study demonstrates, the scents of the past can enrich our understanding of ancient cultures and their rituals, making history a more immersive experience for all.

University College London

Paolin, E., Bembibre, C., Di Gianvincenzo, F., Torres-Elguera, J. C., Deraz, R., Kraševec, I., Abdellah, A., Ahmed, A., Kralj Cigić, I., Elnaggar, A., Abdelhalim, A., Sawoszczuk, T., & Strlič, M. (2025). Ancient Egyptian mummified bodies: Cross-disciplinary analysis of their smell. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 147(8), 6633–6643. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c15769

Cover Image Credit: Emma Paolin, PhD researcher at University of Ljubljana (rear) and Dr Cecilia Bembibre (UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources) (foreground) take swab samples for microbiological analysis at the Krakow University of Economics. Credit: Abdelrazek Elnaggar

Related Articles

Archaeologists in Egypt unearth Roman-era cabin and royal sphinx statue

6 March 2023

6 March 2023

An Egyptian archaeological mission discovered a sphinx statue inside a Roman-era limestone cabin excavated in Egypt’s south. The artifacts were...

30 Graves Found in the Basilica-Planned Ancient City

4 April 2021

4 April 2021

Kibyra ancient city is situated south of Turkey, located in the town Gölhisar in the southwestern part of Burdur Province,...

Twin temples linked to Hercules and Alexander the Great discovered in Sumerian city of Girsu

29 January 2024

29 January 2024

Archaeologists discovered two temples, with one buried over the other, during excavations at Girsu, a Sumerian city in southeastern Iraq...

Archaeologists uncovered largest Bronze Age burial site of Nitra culture in Czech Republic

19 October 2024

19 October 2024

Archaeologists have uncovered the Nitra culture’s largest Bronze Age burial site near Olomouc in Central Moravia, during their rescue research...

“Secret” Excavations in Luxembourg Reveal 141 Roman Gold Coins from Nine Roman Emperors

13 January 2025

13 January 2025

Archaeologists uncovered a Roman gold coin hoard of 141 Roman gold coins dating to the second half of the 4th...

3,000-Year-Old Cave Paintings Discovered in Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

13 April 2025

13 April 2025

In a stunning revelation, a dedicated team of researchers from the National Museum, in collaboration with the Federal University of...

New discoveries show that Claros continued to serve as an oracle center after Christianity

14 September 2022

14 September 2022

Game boards and forked cross motifs dating to the fifth and seventh centuries AD were discovered at the ancient Greek...

Rare Elizabethan ship discovered at a quarry

2 January 2023

2 January 2023

An Elizabethan ship in “remarkable condition” has been discovered on the lake bed of a Kent quarry, one of only...

Researchers measure the impact of Population Pressure on Prehistoric Violence in Japan’s Yayoi Period

23 August 2021

23 August 2021

Are wars part of human nature? Do people tend to fight instinctively or do they war as a result of...

Mandrin cave in France shows Homo Sapiens arrived in Europe almost 10,000 years earlier than thought

10 February 2022

10 February 2022

According to archaeological research published in Science magazine on Wednesday, Homo sapiens ventured into the Neanderthal territory in Europe far...

Analysis of Butchered Bones, Somerset Pit Reveals Bronze Age Cannibalism

17 December 2024

17 December 2024

Archaeologists have uncovered the bloodiest massacre in early Bronze Age Britain and evidence of Bronze Age cannibalism. It is the...

Archeologists Discover Two Sphinxes measure 26 feet in length in Egyptian Ruins

21 January 2022

21 January 2022

Archeologists have discovered the remains of two huge sphinx statues, each measuring 26 feet in length, at the funerary temple...

Archaeologists unearth the remains of three dozen headless people at a stone age settlement in Vráble, Slovakia

25 September 2022

25 September 2022

Archaeologists have unearthed a mass grave containing the remains of about three dozen headless bodies of people at a settlement...

The oldest evidence of human cannibalism as a funerary practice in Europe

7 October 2023

7 October 2023

According to a new study, cannibalism was a common funerary practice in northern Europe around 15,000 years ago, with people...

New Study Reveals That the First English Settlers in North America Ate Dogs to Survive

28 May 2024

28 May 2024

The first English settlers to arrive in North America ate indigenous dogs to survive an extreme period of starvation, according...