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Study Finds Sacrificial Deaths in 5,000-Year-Old Egyptian Skulls

By Drooid · Oct 6, 2026, 4:29 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. archaeologist Roselyn Campbell identified trauma on 5,000-year-old Egyptian skulls, suggesting sacrificial deaths.
Campbell examined 46 First Dynasty skulls from Abydos and found injuries on 18 individuals.
The injuries include linear fractures that likely caused rapid unconsciousness and internal bleeding.
Some skulls show sharp-force trauma, including a chopping wound to the eye.
Linear fractures suggest impact from a wide, flat weapon, though the exact method remains uncertain.

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Story summary

U.S. archaeologist Roselyn Campbell identified trauma on 5,000-year-old Egyptian skulls, suggesting sacrificial deaths.
Campbell examined 46 First Dynasty skulls from Abydos and found injuries on 18 individuals.
The injuries include linear fractures that likely caused rapid unconsciousness and internal bleeding.
Some skulls show sharp-force trauma, including a chopping wound to the eye.
Linear fractures suggest impact from a wide, flat weapon, though the exact method remains uncertain.