Volatile compounds reveal the composition of embalming materials used in Egyptian mummification

The distinctive musty odour of Egyptian mummies is evident to anyone who has encountered their tissues and balms. A reasonable assumption is that this odour is the product of the decay of the mummy body tissues combined with volatile compounds released from aged balms and bandages. Given the established complexities and variabilities in the compositions of mummy balms, it is expected that variations in balm compositions will be reflected in the chemical compositions of the odour. Herein, we explore the chemical compositions of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) constituting the odours of a range of balms and tissues of ancient Egyptian mummies then relate the differences in VOC composition to the known composition of embalming materials. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography/quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC/Q-TOFMS), provides a minimally invasive analytical approach to the characterisation of the volatile fraction of ancient Egyptian mummies. The VOC profiles of the embalming agents identify VOCs representative of each embalming substance, for example: aromatic compounds and short-chain fatty acids from fat/oil; mono-carboxylic fatty acids and cinnamic compounds from beeswax; aromatic compounds and sesquiterpenoids from resins, and naphthenic compounds from bitumen. The differences in composition previously determined between balms when correlated with VOC profiles indicates that VOCs can be used as a fast and sensitive screening tool to indicate the composition of ancient embalming substances. • Volatile biomarkers reveal fats, beeswax, resins and bitumen in balms. • Even trace amounts of embalming materials can alter volatile profiles. • Mummies from different periods exhibit distinct volatile compositions. • Volatile analysis deployed as a non-destructive and fast screening tool.