A groundbreaking archaeological discovery challenges long-held beliefs about Ancient Egyptian pyramids. Recent findings in the ancient burial site of Tombos suggest that pyramid tombs were not reserved solely for the wealthy elite, as previously thought.
The discovery, made in present-day Sudan—formerly known as Nubia—has reshaped historians’ understanding of Ancient Egyptian burial practices.
Experts have long believed that only the highest-ranking members of society could afford to be buried in these grand structures. However, new research suggests that lower-status workers were also interred in pyramids.
Archaeologists found more than 110 pyramids
Archaeologists have identified more than 110 pyramids built over nearly 3,000 years. Until now, these structures were considered the final resting places of rulers, nobles, and high-ranking officials. However, excavations at the Tombos site have uncovered skeletons of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including laborers.
Sarah Schrader, a researcher at Leiden University in the Netherlands, has spent the last decade studying the site. By analyzing the remains, she found that some individuals led physically demanding lives, while others showed little evidence of hard labor.
The mix of social classes in pyramid tombs suggests that burial practices were more inclusive than previously believed.
The findings suggest that pyramid tombs, once thought to be the final resting place of the most elite, may have also included low-status, high-labor staff, Schrader explained in a study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology.
Elite Egyptians rarely engaged in labor-intensive tasks
The remains found at the site tell a complex story. Some skeletons bore signs of heavy physical labor, indicating a lifetime of demanding work. Others showed little wear and tear, suggesting they lived less physically strenuous lives.
For years, scholars assumed that elite Egyptians had distinct lifestyles, rarely engaging in labor-intensive tasks. Some researchers have suggested that the active remains could belong to nobles who maintained physically fit lifestyles.
However, Schrader remains skeptical, pointing to evidence from across Ancient Egypt that indicates clear differences in the activity patterns of elites and laborers.
Challenges long-held beliefs about Egyptian pyramids
By the time Egypt controlled Tombos, the civilization was at its peak. Despite the ongoing use of pyramids, royalty had already shifted away from pyramid burials, preferring rock-cut tombs instead. This transition is evident in sites such as the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were entombed in hidden, cliffside chambers.
The discovery in Tombos raises new questions about Ancient Egyptian society. If laborers and lower-status individuals were buried in pyramids, it suggests a more complex and inclusive burial tradition than previously recognized.
Archaeologists continue to study the site, hoping to uncover more about the daily lives of those buried there. As research progresses, experts expect to gain further insight into the evolving social and cultural landscape of Ancient Egypt.