Image Gallery: Digging Up a Cemetery in Dakhleh Oasis

Ancient cemetery

cemetery in egypt where a toddler with signs of child abuse was found.

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

Archaeologists discovered the remains of a toddler in Romano-Christian-period cemetery in Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, who showed evidence of child abuse. Here, mud bricks for two tomb structures in the cemetery. In the foreground, several excavated graves can be seen.

Kellis 2

excavations of Kellis 2 cemetery in Egypt.

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

The Kellis 2 cemetery where the toddler was found is located in the Dakhleh Oasis town of Kellis (southwest of Cairo). Here, excavations of the Kellis 2 cemetery with the town of Kellis in the background.

Burial 519

excavations of Kellis 2 cemetery in Egypt.

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

When the researchers came across the abused toddler, labeled "Burial 519," in Kellis 2, nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first. But when they began brushing the sand away, they noticed prominent fractures on the child's arms. The excavated in situ burial of 519 shown here.

Fracturing

bones from toddler discovered in ancient egypt cemetery

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

The toddler's remains showed a complete transverse fracture of left humerus with some new bone growth, indicating some healing took place several weeks prior to death.

Evidence of abuse

remains of toddler with evidence of child abuse in ancient egypt cemetery.

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

Close-up of upper body of burial 519, the 2,000-year-old remains of the abused toddler in Egypt.

More fractures

remains of toddler with evidence of child abuse in ancient egypt cemetery.

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

Close-up of excavated in situ burial 519 showing both humeral fractures and clavicle fracture.

Healing before death

remains of toddler with evidence of child abuse in ancient egypt cemetery.

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

Photograph & radiograph of left humerus showing complete transverse fracture & new bone growth, indicating some healing took place several weeks prior to death.

Mandible

mandible of toddler from egypt cemetery

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

The archaeologists estimate the toddler in the Egypt grave was 2 to 3 years old at death. Here, a radiograph of mandible showing dental calcification of deciduous (baby) and permanent (adult) teeth. When skeletonized, young children are generally aged using the development of the teeth.

Collarbone

fractured collarbone of toddler from ancient egypt cemetery

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

Photograph & radiograph of clavicle (collarbone) showing complete fracture. Splintering of bone with no new bone formation indicates this fracture occurred at or around the time of death, some 2,000 years ago.

Toddler skull

skull of abused toddler found in ancient egypt cemetery

(Image credit: Sandra Wheeler)

Photograph & radiograph of the frontal portion of the skull of the abused toddler from the cemetery in Kellis.

Live Science Staff
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