We know what they look like, and even sound like, but there’s one question you might not have pondered: what do ancient Egyptian mummies smell like? Whether you wanted to know or not, scientists have now given us an answer.

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.

Researchers who sniffed mummified remains in the name of science were greeted more with a blessing than a curse

Study published in Journal of the American Chemical Society used both chemical analysis and panel of human sniffers to evaluate odors from nine mummies as old as 5,000 years