Scientists studied the scents of ancient Egyptian mummies, revealing embalming materials and conservation effects.

The ancient Egyptians were not the first culture to mummify their dead, but they practically perfected the practice by wrapping and preserving millions of people and animals throughout the centuries. The earliest Egyptian mummies discovered by archaeologists date to around 3500 B.C., well before the Great Pyramid of Giza was built.

Even after 5,000 years in a sarcophagus, mummified bodies from ancient Egypt still smell quite nice, scientists have discovered. Researchers who examined nine mummies found that though there was some difference in the intensity of their odours,

Even around 5,000 years after their embalming, Strlič and collaborators described the bodies as smelling “pleasant.” This is largely thanks to the materials applied to the mummies, which included scented waxes, coniferous resins and oils made from pine, cedar, and juniper, as well as gum resins such as frankincense and myrrh.

Ancient Egyptian mummies mostly smelled "woody,""spicy" and "sweet," according to research published in the Journal of the American Chemical

The analysis provided new insights into the materials ancient Egyptians used for embalming, revealing how these practices evolved. It also highlighted how museums have preserved these ancient bodies, often applying modern chemicals that blend with the original scents.