Forensic reexaminations of 5,000-year-old skulls indicate over a dozen ancient Egyptian royal attendants met gruesome ends to honor their beloved, deceased pharaohs. The recent findings, detailed in a study published today in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, finally explain a collection of cold cases that have puzzled researchers for nearly a century.
Like many Ancient Egyptian stereotypes, tales of living servants entombed with mummified pharaohs are greatly exaggerated. That said, retainer sacrifices did occur for a brief period of time. Between roughly 3100–2900 BCE, at least five First Dynasty rulers were buried with slain subordinates. Archaeologists suspect the practice was a combination of religious beliefs and social hierarchy enforcement. Royalty simultaneously ensured a staff for the afterlife while demonstrating the extent of their influence and power.
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