A 4,500-year-old skeleton discovered in a sealed tomb in Egypt has provided scientists with the first ever complete genetic code of an ancient Egyptian individual. The remains were found in 1902 and have been preserved remarkably well considering their age and hot climate.
The skeleton belonged to a middle-aged man who lived during the Old Kingdom period, marked by significant progress including the construction of the first step pyramid at Saqqara. Analysis of his DNA revealed that he had dark skin, brown eyes, and hair, as well as north African Neolithic ancestry mixed with a genetic contribution from the Middle East.
The finding supports archaeological evidence of ancient trade between the two regions. Researchers believe the man may have been a potter or craftsman due to marks on the skeleton suggesting long periods of sitting on hard ground. However, his unusual burial in a high-class tomb contradicts this theory, leading researchers to speculate that he might have been a highly skilled artisan.
The study’s findings shed light on which tombs might harbor remains with well-preserved DNA and pave the way for further research into ancient Egyptian genetics. The team plans to examine more skeletons in British collections to build an ancient genetic record of Egypt.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/02/skeleton-in-pot-first-ancient-egyptian-undergo-genome-analysis