Ancient ‘smellscapes’ are wafting out of artifacts and old texts
ID’ing odor molecules and brewing Cleopatra’s perfume are part of new research on past scents
![carved relief of an ancient Egyptian queen smelling a lotus flower](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/042722_bb_ancient-smellscapes_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
The spectrum of smells in ancient societies, and their possible cultural meanings, are being explored by scientists who study odor molecules, old documents and other archaeological finds. Here, a carved relief of an ancient Egyptian queen smelling a lotus flower represents the fragrant world that pharaohs and their families inhabited.
Alain Guilleux/Alamy Stock Photo