Scientists studying the ancient mummified bones of Egyptian royals have found that Egyptian mummies that have been entombed for hundreds or even thousands of years nevertheless smell "fresh." Scientists who studied nine ancient Egyptian mummies were astounded to discover that, after spending almost 5000 years in a coffin, the ancient bodies still had a "good" fragrance.
All of the scientists on the team described the aroma as "woody," "spicy," and "sweet," however the researchers noted that the strength of the scent differed from specimen to specimen.
The pine and juniper resins employed in mummification—a laborious procedure intended to preserve the corpse so the deceased may be reincarnated in the afterlife—could be the source of the flowery aroma, the experts speculated.
To give individuals a sense of the "smell" of a mummy, the study team is currently working to chemically replicate the smell in a lab. "We wish to convey the sensation of smelling a mother. Cecilia Bembibre, research director at the Institute for Sustainable heritage at university College london (UCL), who is in charge of the study team, explained, "That is why we are re-creating the smell in a lab and presenting our findings at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo."
According to Bembibre, the ancient Egyptians thought that the items used during the mummification process would follow the deceased's spirit into the hereafter, thus they would put a fragrant paste on the body to stop it from decomposing. As a result, during mummification, the corpses of Egyptian pharaohs (kings) and other nobles were adorned with oil, wax, and balm.
The sample used to recreate the odor was collected without causing any damage to the specimen, according to the study report that was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Without obtaining a physical sample, the researchers used a tiny tube to measure the odor, Bembibre said, adding that heritage scientists are developing new non-invasive techniques to avoid damaging the specimen.
All of the scientists on the team described the aroma as "woody," "spicy," and "sweet," however the researchers noted that the strength of the scent differed from specimen to specimen.
The pine and juniper resins employed in mummification—a laborious procedure intended to preserve the corpse so the deceased may be reincarnated in the afterlife—could be the source of the flowery aroma, the experts speculated.
To give individuals a sense of the "smell" of a mummy, the study team is currently working to chemically replicate the smell in a lab. "We wish to convey the sensation of smelling a mother. Cecilia Bembibre, research director at the Institute for Sustainable heritage at university College london (UCL), who is in charge of the study team, explained, "That is why we are re-creating the smell in a lab and presenting our findings at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo."
According to Bembibre, the ancient Egyptians thought that the items used during the mummification process would follow the deceased's spirit into the hereafter, thus they would put a fragrant paste on the body to stop it from decomposing. As a result, during mummification, the corpses of Egyptian pharaohs (kings) and other nobles were adorned with oil, wax, and balm.
The sample used to recreate the odor was collected without causing any damage to the specimen, according to the study report that was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Without obtaining a physical sample, the researchers used a tiny tube to measure the odor, Bembibre said, adding that heritage scientists are developing new non-invasive techniques to avoid damaging the specimen.
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