The skeleton of an ancient Egyptian man, found in a sealed pottery vessel in 1902, has become the first from that civilization to undergo whole genome analysis. The 4,500-year-old remains, remarkably preserved, revealed he had dark skin, brown eyes, brown hair, North African Neolithic ancestry, and a 20% genetic contribution from the Fertile Crescent, supporting ancient trade theories. His bones suggest he was a potter, despite his high-class burial.
Skeleton found in pot is first ancient Egyptian to undergo whole genome analysis
GeneticsScienceEgyptBiologyAfricaMiddle East and north AfricaWorldUKArchaeology
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The skeleton of an ancient Egyptian man, found in a sealed pottery vessel in 1902, has become the first from that civilization to undergo whole genome analysis. The 4,500-year-old remains, remarkably preserved, revealed he had dark skin, brown eyes, brown hair, North African Neolithic ancestry, and a 20% genetic contribution from the Fertile Crescent, supporting ancient trade theories. His bones suggest he was a potter, despite his high-class burial.
Trending- 1 More than 4,500 years ago: Man lived (dawn of Age of Pyramids, transition between early dynastic period and Old Kingdom).
- 2 2,500BC (approx): Potter's wheel introduced to Egypt from Fertile Crescent.
- 3 1902: Skeleton recovered from sealed pottery vessel in Nuwayrat.
- 4 Later: Skeleton donated to Liverpool Institute of Archaeology, then transferred to World Museum.
- 5 Blitz (WWII): Skeleton survived bombings.
- 6 Recently: Whole genome analysis performed and published in Nature.
- This analysis provides valuable genetic insight into early Egyptian ancestry and trade.
- It also informs future archaeological and genetic research on ancient remains, particularly in challenging climates.
What: The skeleton of an ancient Egyptian man, discovered in 1902 in a sealed pottery vessel, has been subjected to the first whole genome analysis of an ancient Egyptian. The 4,500-year-old DNA, remarkably preserved due to the unusual burial, revealed the man had dark skin, brown eyes, brown hair, North African Neolithic ancestry, and a 20% genetic contribution from the Fertile Crescent. His bones showed signs of arthritis and wear consistent with a potter or similar craftsman, despite his high-class burial.
When: 'More than 4,500 years ago' (when the man lived); '1902' (skeleton recovered); '2,500BC' (potter's wheel introduced to Egypt); 'third to sixth dynasties' (Old Kingdom period).
Where: Nuwayrat, 165 miles south of Cairo, Egypt; Francis Crick Institute in London, UK; Liverpool Institute of Archaeology, UK; World Museum, Liverpool, UK; Saqqara, Egypt (first step pyramid); Fertile Crescent (region of genetic contribution).
Why: The analysis was undertaken to gain insight into the ancestry of early Egyptians and to understand how DNA can be preserved in hot climates. The unusual burial in a sealed pot is suspected to have aided DNA preservation. The findings support archaeological evidence of ancient trade.
How: Scientists extracted DNA from one of the man's teeth. Radiocarbon dating was used to determine the age of the remains. Researchers studied tomb paintings and bone markings to infer his occupation. The work was published in the journal Nature.