Cranial injuries in ancient Egypt
Three cases of interpersonal violence in the dynastic necropolis of Qubbet el‐Hawa (Aswan, Egypt)
Bibliographic Data
Violence seems to have been a constant in Egyptian history, as attested by documentary sources. The material culture also reflects this state of violence; however, anthropological findings, although present, are not as numerous as might be expected. In the present study, we analyze the injuries found in three crania (New Kingdom, 1500–1070 BCE) from the necropolis of Qubbet el‐Hawa, near the island of Elephantine (Aswan, Egypt). All three cases are adult males with several injuries caused by a sharp‐edged weapon, with no signs of survival. The macroscopic analysis of the wounds was combined with archaeological and historical data to provide an explanation of the possible weapon used and the possible scenarios (intergroup or intragroup violence) where these deaths could have occurred. These cranial injuries leave no doubt as to the intentionality and repetition in the act of causing death. These findings offer clear evidence and reliable information that contributes to the understanding of interpersonal violence and its potential causes in ancient Egypt
Ancient history · Archaeology · Crania · Cranial trauma · Interpersonal violence · Medical emergency · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Medicine · Traumatic Ocular and Foreign Body Injuries · Surgery
A Companion to Forensic Anthropology
Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times
Skeletal Trauma
Head Injuries in Egypt and Nubia
Broken bones
Possible Evidence for Homicide in an Egyptian Mummy Head
Identifying sword marks on bone
The Treatment of Criminals in Ancient Egypt
Bioarchaeological contributions to the study of violence
Ectocranial suture closure
The emergence of human warfare
The chaîne opératoire of Bronze Working in Ancient Sudan
Interpersonal violence in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt
Trauma in the city of Kerma
Trauma to the Skull
Blunt force trauma
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |