Ancient Egyptian princesses used weapons
A study of royal mummies from Dahshur reveals bone changes indicating that Middle Kingdom princesses were skilled archers and weapon users, not just buried
A new study of royal mummies suggests ancient Egyptian princesses were trained to use weapons. The research, published in Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, analyzed six individuals from the Middle Kingdom site of Dahshur.
Dr. Zeinab Hashesh, the lead author, stated that members of the royal family, especially women, were active participants in skilled, physically demanding activities like archery and hunting. This conclusion is based on skeletal evidence of heavy muscle use that matches the weapons found in their tombs.
Rediscovery at Dahshur
The research focused on six royal mummies originally uncovered at Dahshur in the 1890s. The remains were later rediscovered in the Egyptian Museum during a 2020 curation project.
Four of the individuals were sisters and daughters of Pharaoh Amenemhat II. They were buried in matching underground chambers. Princess Ita was buried beside Princess Khenmet. Princess Itaweret was interred alongside a woman tentatively identified as Princess Sathathormeryt. The other two individuals studied were Princess Noub-Hotep and King Hor.
Their tombs contained objects like bows, arrows, and daggers, which are more commonly associated with male burials. Princess Ita's coffin held an especially ornate dagger. All six bodies had been mummified, but preservation was incomplete, with soft tissues deteriorated and portions of the skeletons missing. The princesses' skulls were lost in the early 1900s.
Skeletal Evidence of Weapon Use
Enough skeletal material survived for analysis. The bones revealed robust muscle attachments and specific injuries.
| Individual | Estimated Age | Skeletal Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Ita | 28-34 years | Strong upper-body muscle attachments, suggesting habitual use of weapons like maces or daggers. |
| Princess Khenmet | Late 30s to 40s | Signs of thinning bones but very robust ligament attachments. |
| Princess Itaweret | 20-34 years | Survived broken ribs and foot fractures; skeleton shows she was a skilled archer. |
| Princess Noub-Hotep & King Hor | Not specified in source | Comparable skeletal evidence suggesting they practiced archery. |
Dr. Hashesh explained that pronounced development in the upper limbs correlates to repetitive, high-intensity actions like pulling a bowstring or stabilizing a weapon. This proves these activities were habitual. The weapons in their tombs were not just symbolic gifts but tools they actively used.
Injuries and Royal Life
Several individuals showed evidence of trauma. Princess Itaweret had suffered broken ribs, probably from a blow or a fall, and fractures in her feet. The sisters also shared rare spinal abnormalities, indicating their parents and the broader royal family were closely related.
Hashesh said these injuries were likely caused by accidents, falls, or blows linked to an active lifestyle through hunting, military training, or other demanding activities. The fact that the injuries healed well suggests they had access to advanced medical care for their time.
Future Research and Ethical Presentation
There are limits to the study. The loss of the skulls restricts some analyses. The team plans stable isotope analysis to learn more about diet and nutritional deficiencies.
Hashesh expressed a desire to tell the full life stories of the Dahshur royals, including their families, health, and political roles. The goal is to preserve the remains, create 3D prints for teaching, and display them ethically alongside their jewelry and weapons. The study seeks to shift focus from the treasures to the people themselves, who have often been forgotten.
