A unique scent
Imagine smelling a scent that’s almost 3,500 years old, a fragrance that once wafted through ancient Egypt. That’s precisely what ‘The Scent of the Afterlife’ offers. This unique aroma is a recreation of a mummification balm, discovered in the Valley of the Kings.
Who was Senetnay?
This ancient balm once preserved Lady Senetnay, the esteemed wet nurse to Pharaoh Amenhotep II. But who was Senetnay? A noblewoman from around 1450 BCE, she had the crucial role of nurturing the future Pharaoh Amenhotep II, the much-anticipated heir of Pharaoh Thutmose III. Her remains, along with others, were discovered in a royal tomb in Thebes (present-day Luxor) by the famed archaeologist Howard Carter in 1900.
To ensure her journey to the afterlife was seamless, Senetnay’s organs were meticulously mummified and stored in four ornate canopic jars, each adorned with a human head. Two of these jars, safeguarding her lungs and liver, now reside in the Museum August Kestner in Hanover, Germany.
The Analysis
To uncover the components of the (fragrant) balms, Barbara Huber and her team conducted chemical analysis on samples from the canopic jars. The analysis revealed the key ingredients of the mummification balm recipe, which include:
- Beeswax
- Vegetable oil
- Animal fat
- Larch resin
- Bitumen
- Pistacia or dammar resin
- Balsam
Find out more about the analysis:
Recreating the scent
After the analysis, Huber collaborated with sensory museologist Sofia Collette Ehrich to craft a detailed brief for perfumers, encompassing all the essential elements needed to recreate the scent. Paris-based perfumer Carole Calvez from Iris and Morphee embraced the challenge of bringing ‘The Scent of the Afterlife’ back to life.
Calvez produced eight distinct variations by blending the identified ingredients in different proportions, all of which underwent thorough evaluation by the team. The selection process for the final formula was guided by two key factors: authentically capturing the aromatic essence of Senetnay’s balm and communicating essential aspects of the mummification process. For example, coniferous resins have been recognized as fundamental elements in ancient mummification balms. Consequently, special attention was given to larch resin as a pivotal component within the mixture.
Transforming Research into Fragrance: From Lab to Learning
To share the scent with a wide audience, a fragrance card was created, which acts as a time machine for your nose! Initially designed to complement Barbara Huber’s PhD thesis in 2023, this card has evolved into a powerful science communication tool. Now employed in workshops, guided tours, science talks, and beyond, it serves as a tangible bridge between scholarly research and public engagement.
If you’re interested in obtaining a card for teaching or outreach purposes, please get in touch using the contact information provided below.
