The foul and the fragrant: what did the past smell like?

The foul and the fragrant: what did the past smell like?

Imagine stepping back in time, only to be greeted by a symphony of scents. The past, it seems, had a smell of its own. From the foul stench of medieval streets to the fragrant aroma of ancient gardens, let's embark on an olfactory journey through history.

The History of Smell

From Roman funerals to Aztec chewing gum, the historic role of smell was much more important than we realize.

Case Study: the Role of Smell in a Roman Funeral

Romans treated their dead with perfumes, ointments, and incense while they lay in state

The foul and the fragrant

In his book The Foul and the Fragrant, Alain Corbin links the evolution of class consciousness in 18th century France to the social significance French citizens attributed to good and bad smells.

Smell Beyond Stench

William Tullett, a history professor at Anglia Ruskin University, thinks modern media may have exaggerated the stench of past centuries

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