Scientists have successfully recreated the scent of the embalming fluid used in ancient Egypt for mummification, a liquid that played a crucial role in preserving mummies. Dubbed the “fragrance of the afterlife,” it features notes of beeswax, plant materials, and tree resins. This scientific breakthrough sheds light on the ingenuity of the Egyptians.
The Scent of Eternity from an Egyptian Mummy
Researchers examined the remains of a 3,500-year-old mummy from the Valley of the Kings—a woman named Senetnay, known as the “Ornament of the Pharaoh.” She was a wet nurse to Pharaoh Amenhotep II and was considered close to the royal family.
The scientists managed to recreate the aromatic mixture that the Egyptians used to protect organs during mummification. The scent of this embalming fluid carries sweet notes of beeswax, which protects against bacteria, along with a vanilla aroma from plant materials and a pine scent from tree resins. However, it also has a less pronounced, distinctive smell reminiscent of fresh asphalt, as the ancient Egyptians used bitumen in the mummification process to shield the organs from moisture and insects.
Not Just the Scent of Eternity, but an Intriguing Evidence of Trade
There were tantalizing hints of trade with Southern India, as peppercorns were only available from that region. However, the fragrant resin known as “damar,” which scientists believe they identified in Senetnay’s embalming fluid, indicates that international trade could have occurred much earlier—specifically, around the time of the wet nurse’s death, 250 years before the death of Ramses II.
Damar likely came from trees native to Southeast Asia. If the presence of damar resin is confirmed, it would reveal that the ancient Egyptians had access to countries in that part of the world nearly a millennium earlier than previously assumed.
As Barbara Huber, the lead researcher, noted to the Daily Mail, these findings highlight just how advanced the mummification process was in ancient Egypt. In this case, recreating the scent of eternity feels like stepping into a time machine.
How Was the Scent of Eternity Recreated?
The scent of eternity was recreated by taking samples from two jars containing the liver and lungs of Senetnay, which were excavated by archaeologist Howard Carter from the famous Valley of the Kings in Thebes, modern-day Luxor, over a century ago. The embalming fluid was broken down into its individual molecules using scientific processes, including chromatography, which bombards substances with gases to separate them based on how they break down into fragments.
The researchers closely collaborated with French perfumer Carol Calves and sensory museologist Sophie Collet to recreate the scent of the embalming fluid. The scientists describe six complex ingredients in this mixture. These intricate components indicate the extraordinary privileges of Senetnay, which is also evident from her necropolis in the Valley of the Kings, designated for pharaohs and the powerful elite.
The ingredients include resin from the turpentine tree, which was also used in other tombs for mummifying food items like chicken, allowing people to “eat” in the afterlife. According to Ms. Huber, the scent of eternity is more than just the aroma of the mummification process; it embodies the rich cultural, historical, and spiritual significance of ancient Egyptian burial practices.