New evidence supports Egyptian 'retainer sacrifice'

The debate surrounding human sacrifice in ancient Egypt, particularly during the First Dynasty, has long been a contentious topic among Egyptologists. A new study has reignited this discussion by analyzing a collection of skulls excavated in the 1920s, revealing that over one-third of these show signs of blunt force trauma, suggesting they may have been victims of 'retainer sacrifice'.

The term 'retainer sacrifice' refers to the practice of burying servants and officials alongside pharaohs to serve them in the afterlife. This concept has been a subject of speculation for a long time due to the lack of archaeological evidence, as many of the earliest tombs were plundered or hastily excavated.

## Why it matters This finding is significant because it offers new insights into the beliefs and burial practices of one of the world's oldest civilizations. The notion that pharaohs were accompanied in death by their servants not only reinforces the power and divinity of these rulers but also highlights the complexities of Egyptian society as a whole.

## What we know The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology and was conducted by Roselyn Campbell, a bioarchaeologist at Purdue University. She has been intrigued by the topic of human sacrifice and how violence is perceived in different cultures throughout history. This study provides a scientific basis supporting the idea that human sacrifice was part of funerary rituals in ancient Egypt.

## What remains unclear Despite the new evidence, much remains to be investigated. The lack of systematic excavations and the destruction of many archaeological sites limit the full understanding of these practices. Additionally, the cultural context and reasons behind these sacrifice decisions remain an open area of study that requires further exploration.