Recent advances in biomolecular archaeology have propelled our understanding of the past beyond visual and textual interpretation, opening a novel sensory gateway into ancient worlds—namely, the reconstruction of authentic historical scents. A pioneering interdisciplinary team led by archaeo-chemist Barbara Huber at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and the University of Tübingen has ingeniously translated molecular residues preserved in ancient artifacts into tangible olfactory experiences. Their work not only intensifies engagement with museum visitors but fundamentally transforms how we connect with history through our sense of smell.
For decades, archaeology and related disciplines relied on visual and contextual evidence to infer ancient cultural practices. However, scientific breakthroughs in biomolecular analysis now reveal that relics of aromatic compounds linger in materials such as embalming substances, perfumed objects, and medicinal residues. These molecular fingerprints provide unprecedented insight into the daily lives, spiritual rituals, and technological sophistication of past peoples. Yet, encoding such complex chemical data into accessible sensory experiences necessitates an innovative, collaborative approach blending science and art.
Huber’s team devised a cutting-edge workflow to convert biomolecular evidence into olfactory recreations suitable for museum environments, effectively bridging the gap between scientific data and perceptual storytelling. Central to this task was establishing a critical dialogue between archaeological chemistry and contemporary perfumery practice. With the expertise of scent-based storytelling consultant Sofia Collette Ehrich, the researchers created a conceptual blueprint that informed the intricate translation of chemical signatures into creative scent formulations.
At the heart of this process lies the collaboration with renowned perfumer Carole Calvez, who confronted the challenge of crafting a scent that transcends mere chemical replication. Unlike reconstructing a single aroma molecule, this endeavor requires envisioning the multisensory complexity of ancient scents as holistic olfactory narratives. Calvez emphasizes that biomolecular data serves as an indispensable scientific guidepost, but the ultimate composition demands creative interpretation to evoke the cultural significance and sensory subtleties of the original substances.
To demonstrate the transformative power of this approach, the team developed two distinct presentation formats: a portable scented card and an integrated scent diffusion station. These tools allow museums to immerse visitors in the ancient aromatic experiences, effectively transporting them through time using their sense of smell. The test case, The Scent of the Afterlife, involves the re-creation of fragrances associated with ancient Egyptian mummification, providing a fascinating sensory dimension to archaeological storytelling.
At the Museum August Kestner in Hanover, where the archeological artifacts that inspired this project reside, the scented card rapidly became an indispensable component of guided tours. Curators Christian E. Loeben and Ulrike Dubiel note that this olfactory element steers visitor understanding away from sensationalized horror tropes surrounding mummification. Instead, the scent conveys the ritualistic care, cultural motivations, and intended afterlife symbolism embodied in embalming materials, fostering a deeper appreciation of ancient customs.
Meanwhile, a fixed scent diffusion station was installed at the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus, Denmark, as part of the exhibition “Ancient Egypt – Obsessed with Life.” According to curator Steffen Terp Laursen, the scent station enriched visitors’ comprehension by layering emotional and sensory depth onto static text labels and visual displays. The evocative power of smell enabled visitors to tangibly experience the embalming rituals and their cultural significance, creating a multisensory connection inaccessible through traditional interpretive methods.
The scientific underpinning of these olfactory reconstructions hinges on state-of-the-art chemical analyses of organic residues. Sophisticated techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography enable precise identification of volatile organic compounds and their transformation products preserved over millennia. Interpreting these chemical profiles requires painstaking cross-disciplinary collaboration, integrating insights from organic chemistry, archaeology, perfumery, and cultural anthropology.
This convergence of disciplines exemplifies an innovative paradigm in heritage interpretation, wherein scientific knowledge is translated into evocative sensory modalities. The translation process involves reducing complex molecular datasets into formulations that retain the integrity and recognizability of the original scent bouquet while ensuring stability and suitability for public engagement. The resulting scent recreations offer not only academic insights but also visceral, memorable encounters that deepen museum visitors’ understanding and emotional connection to ancient cultures.
Critically, this work advances museum practice by enabling multisensory engagement strategies that expand beyond the conventional reliance on visual and textual media. By appealing directly to the olfactory sense, the project taps into a powerful yet underutilized channel for cultural communication, capitalizing on the intimate connection between scent, memory, and emotion. This approach promises to invigorate public interest and democratize access to archaeological knowledge through participatory, immersive experiences.
Looking ahead, the researchers envision broad applications of their workflow across diverse archaeological contexts, extending beyond Egyptian mummification to other ancient fragrant materials linked to perfume, medicine, and ritual across global cultures. This methodological innovation underscores a paradigm shift where scientific discoveries about past human environments are not confined to academic publications but actively integrated into public heritage programming, enhancing experiential learning and fostering empathetic understanding.
The success of the project hinges on a delicate balance between scientific accuracy and artistic license. While molecular data serve as a foundational framework, the creative expertise of perfumers orchestrates the sensory narrative, resulting in olfactory compositions that resonate culturally and emotionally with contemporary audiences. This fusion of science and art ultimately expands the boundaries of archaeological interpretation, contributing profoundly to multisensory museology and heritage conservation.
In sum, this breakthrough research spearheaded by Barbara Huber and her multidisciplinary team paves the way for a radical new era in which molecular archaeology breathes life into ancient scents, enabling museums worldwide to offer visitors transformative, sensory-rich journeys into the past. Their work represents a landmark advancement in communicating cultural heritage, proving that the molecules of history can become the aromas of experience, forever changing how we perceive and relate to antiquity.
Subject of Research: Biomolecular archaeology and olfactory reconstructions for museum engagement
Article Title: From Biomolecular Traces to Multisensory Experiences: Bringing Scent Reproductions to Museums and Cultural Heritage
News Publication Date: 5-Feb-2026
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fearc.2025.1736875
References: Ehrich SC, Calvez C, Loeben CE, Dubiel U, Terp Laursen S, Huber B (2026) Front. Environ. Archaeol. 4:1736875. doi: 10.3389/fearc.2025.1736875
Image Credits: Ehrich SC, Calvez C, Loeben CE, Dubiel U, Terp Laursen S and Huber B (2026)
Keywords: biomolecular archaeology, scent reconstruction, multisensory museum experience, ancient Egyptian mummification, olfactory heritage, chemical analysis, perfumery, cultural heritage, molecular residues, immersive interpretation
