Scientists have long known that ancient Egyptians used a complex blend of chemicals to mummify their dead, but the exact ingredients used remained a mystery. Until now.
In 2023, researchers identified the compounds in balms used to preserve organs from an ancient Egyptian noblewoman, suggesting that the recipes were unusually complex and included ingredients not native to the region. The team then partnered with a perfumer to recreate what they called "the scent of eternity." Now, Barbara Huber has collaborated with museum curators to incorporate this scent into exhibits on ancient Egypt.
The process began by analyzing organic residues from mummy wrappings using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This revealed that the wrappings were saturated with a mixture of plant oils, aromatic extracts, gum or sugar, and heated conifer resin. Huber's team then used these findings to create a custom scent formulation.
The resulting fragrance combined pine-like woody notes from conifers, a sweeter undertone from beeswax, and a strong smoky scent from bitumen. This scent was incorporated into two exhibits at museums in Denmark: a portable scented card deployed on guided tours and a fixed scent station constructed at the Moesgaard Museum.
According to curator Steffen Terp Laursen, the smell added an emotional and sensory depth that text labels alone could never provide. Visitors who experienced the scent reported being transported back in time.
The collaboration demonstrates how science can help fill gaps in our understanding of ancient cultures by providing new insights into their practices and technologies. By recreating a familiar yet elusive aspect of history – like the scent of an ancient Egyptian's embalming agent – researchers have made it possible to connect with people from another era on a more personal level.
As Huber noted, "the real challenge lies in imagining the scent as a whole." This is not just about replicating individual components but creating a cohesive and coherent olfactory experience that evokes the complexity of the original material.
In 2023, researchers identified the compounds in balms used to preserve organs from an ancient Egyptian noblewoman, suggesting that the recipes were unusually complex and included ingredients not native to the region. The team then partnered with a perfumer to recreate what they called "the scent of eternity." Now, Barbara Huber has collaborated with museum curators to incorporate this scent into exhibits on ancient Egypt.
The process began by analyzing organic residues from mummy wrappings using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This revealed that the wrappings were saturated with a mixture of plant oils, aromatic extracts, gum or sugar, and heated conifer resin. Huber's team then used these findings to create a custom scent formulation.
The resulting fragrance combined pine-like woody notes from conifers, a sweeter undertone from beeswax, and a strong smoky scent from bitumen. This scent was incorporated into two exhibits at museums in Denmark: a portable scented card deployed on guided tours and a fixed scent station constructed at the Moesgaard Museum.
According to curator Steffen Terp Laursen, the smell added an emotional and sensory depth that text labels alone could never provide. Visitors who experienced the scent reported being transported back in time.
The collaboration demonstrates how science can help fill gaps in our understanding of ancient cultures by providing new insights into their practices and technologies. By recreating a familiar yet elusive aspect of history – like the scent of an ancient Egyptian's embalming agent – researchers have made it possible to connect with people from another era on a more personal level.
As Huber noted, "the real challenge lies in imagining the scent as a whole." This is not just about replicating individual components but creating a cohesive and coherent olfactory experience that evokes the complexity of the original material.
, I'm so over these "experiences" they're trying to pass off as history lessons... like, who thought it was a good idea to recreate an ancient Egyptian scent? It's just a bunch of chemicals and oils mixed together 
. And what's with the emphasis on "transporting visitors back in time"? Can't we just stick to some old texts and artifacts already? 
. Not to mention the environmental impact of all those fragrances being used. Just stick to good old-fashioned museum exhibits and leave the perfumery tricks to the high-end designers 
. At the end of the day, it's just a bunch of people trying to recreate something from ancient times. Can't we just appreciate the history for what it is? 
, but at the same time I'm all, "wait a minute, did they really need to spend so much money on perfume?" 
Like, I get it, recreating the scent can help people connect with history on a more personal level, but shouldn't we be focusing on preserving actual artifacts and not making fragrances? 
I mean, who doesn't love a good pine-woody smell? It sounds kinda nice 
. But still, can we please just focus on the science and not get too carried away with the perfumery? 
.
. It shows how science can be used to help us understand stuff from way back when, like what they used to preserve bodies and all that 
. And now we get to experience some of that history firsthand by smelling the "scent of eternity" 
. It's like stepping into a time machine or something! 
But at the same time, it's also kinda weird thinking about how these ancient Egyptians were already messing around with perfumes and scents... like they had some form of olfactory research going on 
.
. And can you imagine how emotional it must be for people who visit these museums, experiencing that scent and feeling like they're connecting with someone from another era? It's like they're breathing in history 
. I'm all about science making our understanding of ancient cultures more accessible and immersive... this is just incredible 
!
. i love how this project shows how science can help us connect with our history on a more personal level 
.
i'm living for this... apparently it's all about recreating that elusive scent of eternity what's next? bringing back ancient egyptian breakfast cereals?