For decades, archaeologists have looked at the weapons found in ancient Egyptian royal tombs and asked one simple question: were they props or practical gear? New bioarchaeological analysis of five Middle Kingdom princesses suggests these objects were functional equipment used by women who trained from a young age. The bones tell a story of strength, skill, and surprisingly, hardship.
How royal women used weapons in ancient Egypt
In 2020, a collection management project at the Egyptian Museum resurfaced six royal mummies that had been considered lost since the 1890s. These remains, originally uncovered at Dahshur, belong to four sisters—Khenmet, Itaweret, Ita, Sathathormeryt—and Princess Noub-Hotep, along with King Hor.
The tombs contained bows, arrows, and daggers. Traditionally, such items are associated with male warriors or hunting. But without modern bone analysis, experts couldn’t tell if the princesses actually knew how to use them or if the weapons were purely ceremonial status symbols.
“Members of the royal family, especially women, were active participants in skilled physically demanding activities such as archery.”
Dr. Zeinab Hashesh, the study’s lead author, points to the skeletal evidence. The bones of these royal women show pronounced muscle attachments on the upper limbs. This isn’t random. It indicates repetitive, high-intensity movement. Specifically, the kind of motion required to pull a heavy bowstring or stabilize a weapon for striking.
Who were the warriors?
The individuals date back to the Late Middle Kingdom, roughly between 1850 and 1700 BCE. They were daughters of Pharaoh Amenemhat. Their burial chambers were paired, a practice that suggests close familial ties and perhaps shared rituals.
Here is what the skeletal data reveals about their lives:
- Princess Ita (28–34 years old): She possessed strong upper-body muscle attachments. This suggests she habitually used heavy weapons like maces or daggers. Her coffin also contained an ornate dagger, hinting that her specific role might have involved close-quarters combat or ceremonial striking.
- Princess Khenmet (late 30s to 40s): Despite showing signs of bone thinning (osteopenia) consistent with age, Khenmet had robust ligament attachments. This implies her body was conditioned for strength well into adulthood.
- Princess Itaweret (20–34 years old): Her skeleton shows clear evidence of being a skilled archer. She also survived severe injuries, including broken ribs and foot fractures.
- Princess Noub-Hotep & King Hor: Both displayed similar upper limb development, reinforcing the idea that archery and weapon handling were standard training for these royal individuals, regardless of gender.
Did royal status protect them from hardship?
Being part of the royal elite did not grant immunity from physical pain or poor health. In fact, the bones suggest these women lived active, dangerous lives.
Princess Itaweret’s broken ribs likely came from a forceful impact. This could be a fall from a horse or a height, or a blow during combat training. Other relatives, including the sisters, show rare spinal abnormalities. These likely point to consanguineous marriage—parents being closely related—a common practice in royalty but with clear biological consequences.
Yet, the fractures healed well. This detail is crucial. It proves these women had access to advanced medical care. They weren’t left to suffer; their injuries were treated, allowing them to return to their activities. Evidence of persistent infection and signs of possible malnutrition elsewhere in the skeleton suggest that while they had top-tier trauma care, they were still subject to the general health struggles of the time.
Why this changes our understanding
The presence of weapons in tombs has long been debated. Was it just about power projection? No. The physical adaptations in the bones of these ancient Egyptian princesses show that archery and hunting were habitual parts of their lives. They weren’t posing with props. They were practitioners.
Dr. Hashesh notes that the muscle development correlates directly with the weapons found. This means the bows, arrows, and maces were tools they actively used throughout their lives.
The missing pieces
Not everything is known. The skulls of the princesses disappeared in the early 190th century. This limits what can be determined regarding facial features and some DNA analyses. Future work aims to conduct stable isotope analysis to get a clearer picture of their diet and specific nutritional deficiencies.
The study highlights a shift in focus. For a long time, archaeology focused on the dazzling jewelry and craftsmanship left behind. The people themselves were secondary. Now, the bones are speaking. They tell a story of women who trained, bled, healed, and likely participated in the physically demanding rituals of their court.
Their story is far more complex than that of a passive royal figure. They were individuals shaped by the physical demands of their status, their families, and their survival.
