Egyptian Princesses Were Skilled Warriors

A research team led by bioarchaeologist Zeinab Hashesh of Beni-Suef University in Egypt re-examined the mummies of Princesses Ita, Khenmet, Itaweret, Sathathormeryt, and Noub-Hotep, daughters of Pharaoh Amenemhet II, to determine if weapons found in their tombs were symbolic or practical. The mummies were originally discovered in Dahshur in the 1890s but were misplaced until being rediscovered during a cataloging project six years ago.

Researchers analyzed the 4,000-year-old skeletons, estimating ages and stature, and identified well-developed muscle attachments suggesting regular use of weapons like clubs and daggers. Evidence indicates the princesses participated in physically demanding activities such as archery and hunting, and sustained injuries consistent with accidents, falls, and impacts.

The team found healed fractures, implying access to advanced medical care for the period. Hashesh hopes to reconstruct the princesses’ lives beyond their royal status and make the findings accessible through 3D prints and exhibits.