Found skeletons that contradict notions about Egyptian pyramids

For many years, the scientific community was convinced that the majestic pyramids of Ancient Egypt served as the final resting place exclusively for the elite of society. However, a recent study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology challenges this established theory. Analysis of remains from the Tombos pyramids indicates that even people of low social status could be honored with burial in prestigious tombs.

Tombos is a unique archaeological complex in northern Sudan that came under the rule of Ancient Egypt approximately 3500 years ago, during the heyday of this great civilization. By that time, the Egyptian royal dynasty had already abandoned the tradition of burials in pyramids, but the aristocracy continued to follow this custom. On the territory of Tombos, archaeologists discovered the ruins of at least five mud-brick pyramids.

Sarah Schrader, an osteoarchaeologist from Leiden University, has devoted more than ten years to researching this site. Her specialization allows her to reconstruct the lifestyle of ancient people based on the characteristics of their bone remains.

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It was during osteological analysis that the team of researchers encountered an intriguing fact. Among the found remains, there were both skeletons of people who led a sedentary lifestyle and those whose lives were filled with intensive physical labor.

"At first, we were puzzled by these findings," Schrader admits.

Her colleague Stuart Tyson Smith from the University of California offered an unexpected interpretation: the sedentary individuals probably belonged to the noble strata of society, enjoying a luxurious life, while the physically active ones were representatives of the lower social classes. This discovery calls into question the long-held belief of Egyptologists that monumental tombs were intended exclusively for the aristocracy.

"I believe we have held the view for too long that pyramids were a privilege exclusively for the wealthy," notes Schrader.

Professor Aidan Dodson from the University of Bristol offers an alternative explanation: perhaps the ancient Egyptian elite deliberately maintained good physical shape as a symbol of their high status.

However, Schrader disputes this version. According to her, numerous archaeological data indicate that the nature of physical activity of the nobility and commoners in Ancient Egypt differed radically.

The researcher also rejects the grim hypothesis of human sacrifices, indicating that this practice ceased in the region 500 years before the Egyptian conquest.

The most likely explanation, scientists believe, is that workers buried in the pyramids could have been servants who were buried with their masters to continue serving them in the afterlife. Although this function was usually performed by ushabti - special figurines, this theory has found support in the scientific community.

"There is evidence from other regions confirming that high-ranking individuals were buried together with their servants," confirms Wolfram Grajetzki from University College London.