In a recent study combining science with sensory exploration, researchers have discovered that ancient Egyptian mummies, some preserved for over 5, years within their sarcophagi, emit surprisingly pleasant aromas.
To maintain the delicate condition of the articles, scientists used non-invasive techniques like pulling air from the cages via small tubes. The air samples were put through gas chromatography and then mass spectrometry to determine the molecules responsible for the scents, while other humans described the smells.
We were surprised at the pleasantness of them. According to the ancient Egyptians beliefs, mummification was a sacred process that protected the soul and the body for the afterlife, specifically for pharaohs and the nobility. Enjoyable aromas, obtained by the application of oils, waxes, resins and balms, were believed to associate the dead with purity, while unpleasant smells were a sign of corruption. By analyzing these scents, researchers identified four main sources; original mummification materials like tree resins and animal fats , plant oils used in modern conservation, synthetic pesticides, and microbial byproducts.
The absence of strong decay-related odors, such as those from bacteria or fungi, suggests that the mummies at the Egyptian Museum are remarkably well-preserved, a credit to both ancient techniques and modern curation. While the scents detected today differ from those at the time of mummification, altered by thousands of years of evaporation, oxidation, and storage, their pleasant persistence highlights the ingenuity of ancient Egyptian embalmers.
It adds another layer of data to enrich the museum exhibition of mummified bodies. After 5, years in their sarcophagi, these mummies continue to captivate, not just through sight, but through an unexpected and delightful whiff of history. It was a powerful and timely call to arms for a profession so often misjudged and maligned. In light of the country's low national birth rates and worsening lonely deaths epidemic, a government-mandated dating app has been created for Japanese citizens.
