One would expect a mummy to smell moldy, musty, and mildewy. But the first study to systematically sniff the wrapped human remains report much more pleasant scents, describing whiffs as "woody," "spicy," and "sweet," according to a report in Journal of the American Chemical Society.
— Read more in Ancient Egyptian Mummies Smell Spicy and Sweet Instead of Musty or Moldy at Discover.
Considering all the preservatives the ancients used on mummies, they didn’t have a chance to decay, being saturated in myrrh and resins and such, so they just dried out in the desert: woody and spicy and sweet is just about exactly how I’d expect them to smell. I’d love to smell one.
NEATO! Mummies and ancient Egyptian culture fascinated me as a child, and scent has been another enduring interest. Here, combined at once. Thank you for sharing the link.
I’m with Pyramus—it makes sense mummies would smell of frankincense, myrrh and wax…my question is how that alters when you move something from dry desert heat to cold, damp climates. That might not go well.
I would also love to smell a mummy!