Study finds Middle Kingdom Egyptian princesses could use weapons

For decades scholars have debated whether the swords, daggers and other armaments found in the burial chambers of ancient Egyptian princesses were merely symbolic offerings or practical weapons. A recent reassessment of five royal women’s mummies from the Middle Kingdom has provided new evidence that some of these princesses were indeed capable of using the weapons buried with them. The study, which combined osteological analysis with residue testing and comparative iconography, examined the physical condition of the armaments and the surrounding burial context.

The five mummies, dating from the 12th to 13th dynasties, were found in well‑preserved tombs that included a variety of weapons, ranging from short swords to ceremonial blades. Researchers noted that several of the swords bore signs of wear and had hafts that matched the anatomical proportions of the women’s forearms, suggesting that they were fitted for use. Residue analysis detected traces of blood on some blades, and the alignment of the weapons within the sarcophagi implied a functional arrangement rather than purely decorative placement. These findings support the hypothesis that at least a subset of royal women were trained or prepared to wield arms, challenging the long‑standing view that such items were solely symbolic.

The implications of this work extend beyond the question of weapon symbolism. By demonstrating that Middle Kingdom princesses could have been armed, the study sheds light on the social and military roles of royal women in ancient Egypt. Further research will likely focus on the broader population of female burials to determine how widespread this practice was and to refine our understanding of gender dynamics in Egypt’s medieval period.