The researchers analyze the sudden odors of ancient Egyptian mummies

Here is a question that you may have never thought about: How is the smell of Egyptian mummies?

An international team of researchers has a sudden answer: Woody, hot, and sweet (but if you are incomprehensible to things that smell smell like rotting bodies, Check the corpse flower). As is detailed in a study published today in Journal of the American Chemical SocietyThe researchers used traditional scientific methods in addition to the human “heater” trained to analyze the scents of ancient Egyptian mummies. This creative approach sheds light on the famous embalming process and emphasizes the importance of the decent heritage.

“The scent of the cuturative bodies for years has attracted great attention from experts and the general public, but no chemical scientific study and sensory designs have been conducted so far,” the study said in the university statement. “This pioneering research really helps us to better plan to save and understand old embalming materials. Another layer of data adds to enrich the museum gallery of the Cutting.”

Although the fragrance is invisible to the human eye, they are actually chemical molecules. As a result, Strlč and his team used gas chromatic (method of measuring ingredients in a sample) and measuring the mass spectrum (a technique that determines vehicles) to analyze the chemical molecules emitted from nine mummies in the Egyptian Museum in the Qalha. They also used a professional human “snoring” (yes, this is something) to describe quality, density and pleasure in the smells.

Through analyzes, the researchers classified whether the smells come from old embalming technology, modern conservation products or potential pesticide residue, and/or from the natural deterioration of the body-all in non-invasive and completely devastating ways. They eventually described the smell as wooden, hot, and sweet, which is not surprising, given that the wallant resins, frankincense, and tree resins – were usually used in the embalming process.

“New information has been revealed through odors, highlighting the importance of our senses to understand the past,” said Cecilia Pimbury, heritage scientist from the University of California, who also participated in the study.

“For the ancient Egyptians, embalming was a task of task aimed at preserving the body and spirit of the hereafter through detailed rituals of mummification that died using oils, wax and housing that participated in the composition of the study.” The practice developed over time, and the identification of the various techniques and materials used provides an insightful look On the era, location, and social and economic status of the embalmed individual. ”

Specifically, gentle smells were related to divinity and purity, while bad smells indicate corruption (perhaps more accurate), according to researchers.

The team’s museum’s approach to entertaining visitors can inspire smell features such as smell. In fact, researchers are now planning to rebuild the smell of old bodies in order to share this unconventional approach to studying Egyptian mummies, as well as highlighting the ancient release heritage.

So the next time you are trying to study something– The smell war!