Turns out, ancient Egyptian mummies smell… kinda amazing?
Forget the Hollywood trope of cursed, foul-smelling tombs—scientists have discovered that even after 5,000 years, mummified bodies still carry a surprisingly pleasant aroma.
Think woody, spicy, and sweet, like an exotic perfume trapped in time.
Researchers Captured The Smell
Researchers from UCL and the University of Ljubljana carefully captured these ancient scents without disturbing the mummies, using a tiny tube to analyze the air inside sarcophagi.
The goal is to recreate these long-lost fragrances for museum visitors.
“We want to share the experience we had smelling the mummified bodies,” says scientist Cecilia Bembibre, who was stunned by how nice they smelled.
Ancient Egyptians took scent seriously—perfumed oils, waxes, and balms weren’t just for luxury; they were an essential part of preparing souls for the afterlife.
And now, these smells might help modern conservationists detect when a mummy is starting to decompose.
