Recent groundbreaking findings at the Tombos archaeological site in northern Sudan are altering the narrative of ancient Egyptian burial customs. Contrary to centuries of belief that the pyramids were reserved solely for the elite, evidence now suggests that the pyramids may have also served as final resting places for workers of lower social status. These revelations, led by a research team including Sarah Schrader, Michele Buzon, Emma Maggart, Anna Jenkins, and Stuart Tyson Smith, were published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology.
The Tombos site, dating back around 3,500 years, coincides with a period when Egypt was expanding its influence into the southern regions. Here, archaeologists discovered human remains believed to belong to officials, artisans, and scribes—individuals whose skeletal remains display evidence of significant physical labor. These discoveries disrupt the long-held assumption that pyramid tombs were exclusively for the powerful elite.
Among the skeletal remains at Tombos, many belonged to young adult males who exhibited signs of rigorous physical activity. This discovery points to the possibility that these individuals were workers who had likely started their labor at a young age, reflecting a lower socio-economic status, as evidenced by the lack of elaborate burial items and the presence of simple cane coffins.This site also offers new insights into the variety of burial practices in ancient Egyptian culture.
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