Return of the Mummy: Reconstructing the Past with Scent (in person)

Sun Oct 26 2025 at 06:00 pm to 08:00 pm UTC-07:00

The Institute for Art and Olfaction | Los Angeles

The Institute for Art and Olfaction
Publisher/HostThe Institute for Art and Olfaction
Return of the Mummy: Reconstructing the Past with Scent (in person)
Advertisement
J. W. Dotson leads an esoteric fragrance lecture exploring materials commonly employed in Egyptian mummification. In person, with smelling.
About this Event

Fragrance was deeply interwoven into the spiritual, healing and aesthetic traditions of ancient Egypt. Mummification assured that the deceased was enveloped in a divine fragrance for a beautiful afterlife.

This class will sample and discuss materials commonly employed in Egyptian mummification including resins, spices, bitumen, beeswax and the legendary blue lotus often used in mummy garlands.

Topics include archeobotany and the use of chromatography to analyze mummy remains, trade routes for aromatics in antiquity, incense resins and the aroma of the gods, and Egyptomania in the history of modern perfumery including a discussion of the legendary Djedi by Guerlain (1927).

Smell along with the stories in the Institute for Art and Olfaction lab with samples of floral natural materials and accords.


Instructor: J. W. Dotson

Cost: $45.00

Duration: 2 hours

Attendance cap: 14 people


About J. W. Dotson

J.W. Dotson MD is a psychiatrist and an independent scholar fascinated by scent sorcery, cultural and anthropological olfaction studies, ethnobotany, premodern medicine, medical astrology, and astrological magic and remediation. James has presented esoteric fragrance lectures as part of The Scent and Society series at the Institute for Art and Olfaction and is a recurring speaker for The Salem Witchcraft and Folklore Festival and Morbid Anatomy. He is currently an instructor at The Celestial Arts Education Library and serves on the Advisory Board of the Archive of Healing.


Registration Required:

Please note that you must reserve your space in advance. If you just show up without reserving a spot, there is no guarantee we will be able to accommodate you.

All levels are welcome, but this session is 18 and up (or 14+, with adult supervision).

Please review our cancellation policy before signing up.

Materials:

Handouts and materials are included in the sign-up cost, and provided by the IAO during class.

Location:

We are located in Los Angeles’ historic Chinatown neighborhood, on a pedestrian street.

Street Address: 932 Chung King Road Los Angeles CA. 90012

To find us: Chung King Road is a pedestrian-only road that runs parallel to Hill Street, between Hill St and Yale St. See more information here: http://artandolfaction.com/visit


Attendance and Refund Policy

This is an in-person class that will take place at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds or credit for this class. Note also that event tickets are non-transferable.

Thank you!

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Road, Los Angeles, United States

Tickets

USD 49.87

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Los Angeles

2Hollis
Sun, 26 Oct at 04:00 pm 2Hollis

Shrine Expo Hall

Los Angeles Halloween Bar Crawl All Access
Sun, 26 Oct at 04:00 pm Los Angeles Halloween Bar Crawl All Access

Oaks Hollywood

Amadeus Children Benefit Concert at USC
Sun, 26 Oct at 04:30 pm Amadeus Children Benefit Concert at USC

Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall

BLU & MYKA 9 Live at THE VIRGIL
Sun, 26 Oct at 05:00 pm BLU & MYKA 9 Live at THE VIRGIL

The Virgil

PERFECT VESSELS, artist talk with David Orr
Sun, 26 Oct at 05:00 pm PERFECT VESSELS, artist talk with David Orr

Philosophical Research Society

Luminario Ballet presents: Amor Siempre-Love Always
Sun, 26 Oct at 05:30 pm Luminario Ballet presents: Amor Siempre-Love Always

Avalon Hollywood

Sound Sunday Multiple Healer Sound Bath Meditation at The Shatto  Chapel
Sun, 26 Oct at 06:20 pm Sound Sunday Multiple Healer Sound Bath Meditation at The Shatto Chapel

First Congressional Church Los Angeles

Kublai Khan TX at Hollywood Palladium
Sun, 26 Oct Kublai Khan TX at Hollywood Palladium

Hollywood Palladium

Rachael & Vilray in Los Angeles
Sun, 26 Oct at 06:30 pm Rachael & Vilray in Los Angeles

The Ford

LOS ANGELES: Beyond the Light
Sun, 26 Oct at 07:00 pm LOS ANGELES: Beyond the Light

Wilshire Ebel Theatre

Beyond the Light at Wilshire Ebell Theatre
Sun, 26 Oct at 07:00 pm Beyond the Light at Wilshire Ebell Theatre

Wilshire Ebell Theatre

The Witcher in Concert at The Wiltern
Sun, 26 Oct The Witcher in Concert at The Wiltern

The Wiltern

Los Angeles is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Los Angeles Events