Skull injuries support theory of sacrifice near royal tombs

A forensic reexamination of 46 skulls from burials near royal tombs at Abydos found potentially lethal injuries in 18, adding evidence that some people buried alongside Egypt’s First Dynasty rulers may have been killed as retainers. The findings support, but do not establish, the theory that royal household members were sacrificed when a ruler died. Roselyn Campbell, an anthropology researcher at Purdue University, examined skulls preserved at the University of Cambridge using modern forensic methods. The remains came from burials near tombs associated with King Djer, King Djet and Meretneith, a woman who likely ruled at times. The burials date to Egypt’s First Dynasty, about 5,000 years ago. Campbell identified linear fractures and other cranial injuries in 18 skulls. She says the fractures are consistent with blows to the head near the time of death and could have caused fatal bleeding or other serious harm. Some skulls also showed sharp-force injuries, including a chopping injury to the eye in one case. The findings revisit a question raised by Egyptologist Flinders Petrie, who excavated the burial grounds in the early 20th century.