Scientists have examined the mummy of a pregnant teenage mother found in Egypt. Photo

By TravelWiseJan 3, 2024 06:39 AMNews
Share:
Scientists examine the mummy of a teenage mother pregnant with twins
Scientists examine the mummy of a teenage mother pregnant with twins. Source: arkeonews.net

Scientists have examined the mummy of a teenage girl who was pregnant with twins and died during childbirth in ancient Egypt.

They found that the head of the first-born child was stuck in the birth canal, leading to the deaths of both babies and the mother, according to a report on the study's results in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, as reported by Arkeonews.

It is noted that the girl died during childbirth over 1,500 years ago. Scientists determined that she was between 14 and 17 years old.

The mummy of the teenage mother was discovered in the Egyptian city of Kharga in the cemetery of El Bagawat in 1908. Her body was treated with "a lot of salt," which was an ancient Egyptian practice for preserving the dead. The mummy is dated to the Late Dynasty period in ancient Egyptian history, spanning 404-343 BC.

Historical records indicate that a fetus and placenta were found between the legs of the woman in labor. The researchers concluded that the woman died due to complications during childbirth.

Archaeologists suggest that when the mummy naturally deteriorated, the second unborn child likely moved from the womb to the chest cavity.

Scientists have examined the mummy of a pregnant teenage mother found in Egypt. Photo
Scientists have examined the mummy of a pregnant teenage mother found in Egypt. Photo. Source: arkeonews.net

This study of a mummy of a mother and her children confirms how dangerous pregnancy and childbirth were at the time.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Cars using an airport terminal drop-off lane

East Midlands Airport Drop-Off Jumps to £8 for 10 Minutes

Sep 30, 2026 00:17 AM
National Gallery interior in London

England Keeps National Museums Free for Overseas Visitors

Sep 30, 2026 00:04 AM

10 October Sun Escapes From Manchester From £46 Return

Sep 29, 2026 23:51 PM

No Passport, No Ferry on Key Britain–Ireland Routes

Sep 29, 2026 23:49 PM
Canal-side homes in Bangkok

Bangkok Floods Trigger UK Travel Warning as Flights Disrupted

Sep 29, 2026 23:36 PM
Child holding a Halloween pumpkin

Butlin’s Turns Three UK Resorts Into Halloween Scaregrounds

Sep 29, 2026 23:23 PM
Minecraft-themed hotel bedroom concept

World’s First Minecraft Hotel Is Coming to the UK

Sep 28, 2026 20:08 PM
Finnair aircraft taxiing at the airport

Finnair to Run Up to Three Tokyo Flights a Day in Summer 2027

Sep 27, 2026 00:05 AM
Cincinnati skyline and Ohio River

British Airways Expands Heathrow–Cincinnati Flights for 2027

Sep 26, 2026 20:12 PM

Aman’s First Maldives Resort Is Coming With Its Own Wellness Island

Sep 26, 2026 20:07 PM

Norse Pulls New York Flights from Winter Schedule

Sep 26, 2026 19:54 PM
Wat Arun temple in Bangkok

LOT Adds Bangkok, Hanoi and Three European Routes

Sep 25, 2026 17:01 PM
Qantas aircraft taking off

Qantas to Fly Sydney–New York Non-Stop in 2028

Sep 25, 2026 16:49 PM
German biometric passport on a table

Passport Foil Hack Goes Viral - but Does It Work?

Sep 24, 2026 18:56 PM
Florence skyline with the Duomo

BER Gets Its First Direct Flight to Florence

Sep 23, 2026 22:03 PM

Rome to Amalfi by Alfa Romeo: New Three-Day Tour Launches

Sep 23, 2026 21:58 PM

Salzburg Lines Up Rome, Canaries and Egypt for Winter

Sep 23, 2026 21:45 PM
Wizz Air aircraft landing at an airport

Berlin Gets New Year-Round Sofia Flights With Wizz Air

Sep 23, 2026 21:32 PM
Electrified railway tracks and signalling equipment

October Rail Works to Hit Cambridge and Stansted Routes

Sep 23, 2026 21:27 PM
Turkish flag beside a mosque in Istanbul

Turkey Travel Advice Updated Over Social Media Posts

Sep 23, 2026 21:14 PM
Passengers queuing at airport check-in desks

EES Error Sends British Tourist Home - How to Check Your Record Before Travel

Sep 22, 2026 15:01 PM
Corendon Airlines aircraft flying over the sea

Corendon Cuts Antalya Flights from Three UK Airports in 2027

Sep 22, 2026 14:59 PM

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Travel Advice Unchanged After Houthi Strikes

Sep 22, 2026 14:46 PM

Cancelled Train? New Rule Lets You Switch Operators for Free

Sep 22, 2026 14:33 PM
Stay safe message painted on pavement

Foreign Office ‘Do Not Travel’ Warnings: Where They Apply Now

Sep 21, 2026 20:58 PM
TransPennine Express and Northern trains at Liverpool Lime Street

Liverpool Lime Street to Close for One Day in November

Sep 20, 2026 23:25 PM