Ancient skeleton of an Egyptian woman with her unborn baby found after 3,700 years
Experts say the woman seems to have been suffering from a fracture
(Web Desk) – The skeleton of an ancient Egyptian woman who tragically died during childbirth has been found alongside her unborn baby.
The woman, who died 3,700 years ago at the age of 25, was in the final weeks of pregnancy and officials believe she died following the start of labour.
She was buried in a graveyard used between 1750 BC and 1550 BC by nomadic people travelling north into the region of Nubia.
Experts from Yale University and the University of Bologna found the remains at the Kom Ombo archaeological project in Aswan, around 530 miles (852km) from Cairo.
Mustafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that the cemetery was used by travellers during the second transition period, between 1750 and 1550 BC.
The foetus is already in the birthing position with its head-down within the woman s pelvis.
Experts say the woman seems to have been suffering from a fracture that was not treated correctly and most likely led to her death.
The woman s skeleton was wrapped in a leather shroud and surrounded by pottery, including an Egyptian jar that was worn out it had been used so much.
She was buried with a polished red and black container that were made in ancient Nubia at the time. She was also buried with beads made from an ostrich egg. These objects were laid with her body by family members in order to honour her memory.
Just earlier this month Egyptian archaeologists discovered a pottery workshop in Kom Ombo that dated back 4,500 years. The find - which included a stone pottery wheel - provided a glimpse into daily life from millenia ago.
