Century-Old Suspicion of Human Sacrifice in Ancient Egypt Surfaces in a Startling Discovery

Automatically curated summary from The Debrief.

According to a study published in Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology by Dr. Roselyn Campbell of Purdue University, re-examination of First Dynasty human remains from Abydos, Egypt, provides evidence supporting century-old suspicions of retainer sacrifice. Analyzing 46 preserved skulls originally excavated by Flinders Petrie in the 1920s, Campbell discovered linear and sharp-force trauma on nearly 39% of the crania. These findings suggest intentional violence rather than natural fractures, though incomplete post-skull skeletal data limits definitive conclusions.

Context and limitations

Findings are based on a small sample of 46 preserved skulls because the rest of the body remains were reburied by Petrie in the 1920s. The exact weapon used and the cause of death for undamaged skulls remain unverified pending potential future analysis of complete skeletal bodies.