{
  "id": 4444300,
  "title": "Ancient Egyptian princesses were buried with weapons. Their bones reveal why",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/ancient-egyptian-princesses-were-buried-with-weapons-their-bones",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-30T09:30:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ScienceDaily",
    "slug": "sciencedaily",
    "url": "https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/08/260828082348.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ancient Egyptian princesses were buried with weapons, suggesting they were physically trained in their use, according to new research published in Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology. Dr. Zeinab Hashesh, the lead author of the article, explained that the bows, arrows, daggers, and maces found in their tombs were likely used rather than ceremonial objects. The research team examined six royal mummies from Egypt's Middle Kingdom, originally discovered during the 1890s at Dahshur. Four of the six individuals were sisters and daughters of pharaoh Amenemhat II, and their tombs contained weapons and objects typically found in male burials. The bones of the princesses showed evidence of regular use of weapons, with robust muscle attachments and bone structure corresponding to the demands of handling weapons like bows and maces. Princess Ita, a young woman in her late 20s to mid-30s, had strong upper-body muscles, indicating she likely used daggers or maces. Princess Khenmet, aged between 30 and 40, had thinning bones but robust ligaments, while Princess Itaweret, a young woman aged between 20 and 34, showed signs of suffering from broken ribs and foot fractures, suggesting she was skilled in archery. Similar patterns of muscle development and bone strength were found in Princess Noub-Hotep and King Hor, who also practiced archery. The researchers concluded that these injuries were likely caused by accidents, falls, or hard blows, indicating an active lifestyle. Despite their physical trauma, the princesses recovered, suggesting they had access to advanced medical care for their time. The study aims to reconstruct the lives of Egypt's royal women, including their health, political roles, and families, using techniques like stable isotope analysis to better understand their diet and conditions.",
  "summary": "Weapons buried with ancient Egyptian princesses may have been more than ceremonial decorations. Researchers studying royal mummies from Dahshur found bone changes consistent with years of archery and other strenuous weapon use. Several women also showed evidence of healed injuries, suggesting surprisingly active lifestyles that may have included hunting or military training.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Phys.org",
        "title": "Surprising ingredients suggest ancient Egyptian paint was far more complex than previously assumed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/surprising-ingredients-suggest-ancient-egyptian-paint-was-far-more",
        "published": "2026-08-27T16:30:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Science",
        "title": "Ancient shark 'graveyard' uncovered in Egyptian desert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/ancient-shark-graveyard-uncovered-in-egyptian-desert",
        "published": "2026-08-27T19:37:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}