Researchers have reassessed five royal female mummies from Egypt’s Middle Kingdom and concluded that some princesses buried with weapons were trained to use them. The study examined skeletons rediscovered at the Egyptian Museum in 2020 after being lost for decades. The women, daughters of Pharaoh Amenemhat II, were interred at Dahshur with bows, arrows and daggers traditionally linked to male burials. Bone markings on the upper limbs showed strong muscle attachments consistent with archery and handling heavy weapons. One princess, Ita, died aged 28 to 34 and displayed robust attachments indicating regular use of maces or daggers. Another, Itaweret, survived broken ribs and foot fractures yet retained skeletal evidence of skilled archery. Similar patterns appeared in the remains of Princess Khenmet and two additional royals. The findings suggest these activities formed part of an active lifestyle that also produced healed injuries and shared spinal conditions pointing to close family ties. The absence of skulls limited some examinations, but preserved bones allowed age, height and activity estimates. Authors note that further chemical tests could clarify diet and health details.
