The overall sex ratio across all cemeteries is three women to each man, which may indicate polygamy. The sites also shed light on the family structures of the time. This is the earliest such evidence in Egypt.
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So perhaps they imply variation by status – with one graveyard being for the elite and the other for workers. We can use the findings to make interpretations about gender, life-stage, well-being, status and other things.įor example, why were there such differences between the two grave sites? They could have been separate populations, but it is unlikely based on overall physical similarities. So what can this tell us about these peoples, let alone their descendants? As it turns out, a lot. In fact, this is the world’s earliest known infant cemetery. Three women buried with infants were also found, so perhaps they died in childbirth. We’re talking several centimetres shorter and perhaps ten years younger for adults of both sexes.Īstonishingly, the largest of these two cemeteries had a separate burial area for children under three years of age, but mostly infants including late-term foetuses. After analysing another 130 skeletons, we discovered that few artefacts accompanied them, and that they suffered from higher childhood mortality as well as shorter lives and stature. Strangely, in 2009-2016, we dug two more cemeteries that were very different. Most men and women lived beyond 40 years, with some into their 50s – a long time in those days. Men averaged 170cm, while women were about 160cm. We learned that these people enjoyed low childhood mortality, tall stature and long life. We also discovered carved mica (a silicate mineral) and animal remains, as well as elaborate cosmetic tools for women and stone weapons for men.
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#Egyptian ways of life full#
The graves were full of artefacts, with ornamental pottery, sea shells, stone and ostrich eggshell jewellery. In 2001-2003 we excavated three cemeteries from this era – the first in the western desert – where we uncovered and studied 68 skeletons. Grave artefacts from 2001-2003 excavations.