Archaeologists recreate 3,500-year-old fragrances used by ancient Egyptians

Researchers recreated perfumes from 3,500-year-old Egyptian balm using chemical analyses and interdisciplinary expertise, and museums in Germany and Denmark now offer scented cards and a scent station alongside mummy displays.

Scientists recreated perfumes used in ancient Egyptian mummification by translating chemical analyses into modern aromatic formulations. The study drew on improved methods for analysing volatile organic compounds and on collaboration among perfumers, archaeochemists, archaeologists and an olfactory heritage consultant. Museums in Hanover and Aarhus are now presenting scented cards and a fixed scent station alongside Egyptian mummy displays. Research details: - Scents were derived from four canopic jars belonging to Lady Senetnay, a noblewoman who lived around 1450 BC. - Multiple fragrance formulations were developed, each containing about 20 ingredients, after interdisciplinary discussion. - Modern olfactory equivalents were selected to be safe for public use while aiming to reflect biomolecular findings. - Scented cards are used during The Scent of the Afterlife tours at the Museum August Kestner in Hanover. - A fixed scent station is installed at the Ancient Egypt - Obsessed with Life exhibition at the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus. Summary: The displays introduce a multisensory element to archaeological interpretation and the authors say this approach can share scientific results beyond academic publications. Curators reported that smell helped visitors understand embalming in a way that text labels alone could not. Wider adoption and long-term effects on visitors are undetermined at this time.