Event part of popular Smell & Tell series
Meredith Bruckner, Community News Producer, All About Ann Arbor
Tags:Events, All About Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR – Before you say "gross" -- it's not what you think.
Did you know that many of today's luxury perfumes contain several aromatics used in ancient Egypt in sacred mummification rituals?
Fragrance expert and blogger Michelle Krell Kyddis obsessed with scents, and she will bring this spooky class to the Ann Arbor District Library downtown branch on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
She will aimto answer the question: "If materials used in perfumery were also used to send mummies into the afterlife what on Earth do mummies smell like?"
Kyddrecently sniffedmummies in the basem*nt of the University of Michigan'sKelsey Museum of Archaeology and came to this conclusion: "Mummies don't smell like decomposition, but they don't smell like Chanel No. 5 either."
Kyddhopes to take attendees on a journey of the scents the Egyptians would send with mummies into the afterlife. Participants can expect to smell a perfume inspired by the smell of mummies at the Kelsey Museum called "Simulacra of Mummy" and other natural extracts commonly used in mummification.
About Smell & Tell
The Smell & Tell series explores the art + science connection in flavors and fragrance. It is led by Michelle Krell Kydd, who is a trained "nose" in perfumery and editor of the award-winning blog Glass Petal Smoke. The Smell & Tell series celebrates its seventh anniversary year at the Ann Arbor District Library and is ongoing.
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I'm Michelle Krell Kydd, a fragrance expert, and blogger with a passion for scents. My extensive experience in the world of perfumery has led me to explore the fascinating connection between art and science in flavors and fragrances. As a trained "nose" in perfumery and the editor of the award-winning blog Glass Petal Smoke, I have delved deep into the historical and cultural aspects of aromatics.
In a notable event covered by All About Ann Arbor on October 22, 2019, I was featured as part of the popular Smell & Tell series at the Ann Arbor District Library. The article discusses my obsession with scents and how I brought a unique and spooky class to the community. The class aimed to answer a curious question: "If materials used in perfumery were also used to send mummies into the afterlife, what on Earth do mummies smell like?"
To address this intriguing question, I took the initiative to personally explore and sniff mummies in the basem*nt of the University of Michigan's Kelsey Museum of Archaeology. My conclusion was surprising: "Mummies don't smell like decomposition, but they don't smell like Chanel No. 5 either." This firsthand experience allowed me to gain insights into the scents associated with mummies.
During the event, participants had the opportunity to embark on a sensory journey into the scents the Egyptians would send with mummies into the afterlife. I presented a perfume inspired by the smell of mummies at the Kelsey Museum called "Simulacra of Mummy," allowing attendees to experience a unique olfactory encounter. Additionally, natural extracts commonly used in mummification were explored, providing a comprehensive understanding of the aromatics tied to ancient Egyptian rituals.
The Smell & Tell series, which I lead, continues to celebrate its seventh anniversary year at the Ann Arbor District Library, emphasizing the exploration of the art and science connection in flavors and fragrance. My dedication to uncovering the secrets behind scents has made this series an ongoing success, contributing to the community's understanding of the rich world of perfumery.
Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions or if there's more information you'd like to explore from the All About Ann Arbor article.
