An international consortium of researchers has successfully reconstructed the complete genetic blueprint of an adult male Egyptian who lived over 4,500 years ago, a period shortly following the unification of Egypt, thus bridging the Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom eras.
Nebamun hunting in the marshes with his wife and daughter, part of a wall painting from the tomb-chapel of Nebamun, Thebes, New Kingdom, 1350 BC. Image credit: Werner Forman Archive / Bridgeman Images.
“It has been four decades since initial, rudimentary efforts were made to recover DNA from mummified remains, yet the sequencing of an ancient Egyptian genome remained elusive,” stated co-senior author Dr. Pontus Skoglund, affiliated with the Francis Crick Institute.
“Ancient Egypt boasts an exceptionally rich historical record through its texts and archaeological discoveries, but the compromised state of DNA preservation has historically precluded any genomic insights into the ancestral composition of its early inhabitants.”
“Leveraging advancements beyond prior research, novel and powerful genetic methodologies have enabled us to surmount these technical hurdles and effectively differentiate against contaminating genetic material. This provides the inaugural genetic substantiation for potential population movements within Egypt during this epoch.”
Within the scope of this investigation, scientists meticulously extracted and sequenced DNA originating from the dental remains of an individual discovered in Nuwayrat, a settlement situated 265 kilometers south of Cairo.
Through the meticulous analysis of his genetic code, it was determined that the predominant proportion of his ancestral lineage aligned with that of ancient individuals who resided in North Africa.
An additional 20% of his ancestry could be attributed to ancient populations inhabiting the Fertile Crescent, with a notable concentration from a region identified as Mesopotamia (encompassing much of present-day Iraq).
This discovery serves as empirical genetic evidence of bidirectional human migration into Egypt and subsequent admixture with indigenous populations during that historical period, phenomena previously only inferred from archaeological artifacts.
Nevertheless, the research team emphasizes that a substantially larger cohort of sequenced individual genomes is imperative to achieve a comprehensive understanding of ancestral diversity in Egypt at that time.
An examination of isotopic signatures within his teeth, offering insights into diet and environmental exposure, indicated that the individual most likely spent his formative years in Egypt.
Subsequently, data derived from his skeletal structure was employed to ascertain his sex, age, stature, and to glean information regarding his ancestry and customary way of life.
These findings suggested a potential occupation as a potter or in a trade demanding similar physical postures, as evinced by muscle attachments indicative of prolonged periods of seated activity with extended limbs.
“By synthesizing all the analytical data derived from this individual’s DNA, skeletal remains, and dental tissues, we have been able to construct a holistic profile,” commented first author Dr. Adeline Morez Jacobs, a researcher at Liverpool John Moores University.
“We are optimistic that the examination of future ancient Egyptian DNA samples will illuminate the precise temporal commencement of this migratory influx from Western Asia.”
“This individual embarked on a remarkable existential trajectory,” remarked co-senior author Dr. Linus Girdland Flink, also from Liverpool John Moores University.
“His life and demise coincided with a pivotal transformative phase in ancient Egyptian history, and his skeletal remains, unearthed in 1902, were subsequently accessioned by the World Museum Liverpool. Remarkably, these remains endured aerial bombardments during the Blitz, which decimated the majority of the anatomical collections held by the institution.”
“We have now successfully elucidated a segment of this individual’s narrative, revealing that a portion of his ancestry originated from the Fertile Crescent, underscoring the intermingling of distinct groups during that era.”
“The morphological characteristics observed on the skeleton offer significant clues about the individual’s life experiences and occupational habits—his ischial tuberosities exhibit hypertrophic development, his upper limbs display evidence of extensive repetitive motion, and he suffered from substantial osteoarthritis in his right foot,” stated Professor Joel Irish of Liverpool John Moores University, a co-author of the research.
“While these indicators are circumstantial, they strongly suggest an association with pottery production, potentially including the utilization of a potter’s wheel, a technology that was introduced to Egypt around that temporal juncture.”
“Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that his burial context, indicative of a higher social stratum, is not typically commensurate with that of a potter, who would not ordinarily receive such prestigious interment.”
“It is plausible that he achieved exceptional skill or success, thereby elevating his societal standing.”
The study has been formally published in the esteemed scientific journal Nature.
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A. Morez Jacobs et al. Whole-genome ancestry of an Old Kingdom Egyptian. Nature, published July 2, 2025; doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09195-5
