Monday, December 24, 2012

Out Of Africa - Ramses III Haplogroup: E1b1a

COMMENT - This is huge. If it holds up, it will put to rest all the negative reaction against Martin Bernal's Black Athena, like Mary Lefkowitz' "Not Out Of Africa" and similar books. I quote:
Genetic kinship analyses revealed identical haplotypes in both mummies (table 1); using the Whit Athey’s haplogroup predictor, we determined the Y chromosomal haplogroup E1b1a.

The haplogroup of Ramses III was the haplogroup that is associated with the Bantu Expansions. Of course there are only very small differences between E1b1a (Bantu Expansion) and E1b1b (Afro-Asiatic Expansion - Afro-Asiatic being South-, East- and Central Kushitic, Omotic, Beja, Hausa, Berber, Ancient Egyptian and Semitic). E1b1b is very prominent among the population of Southeast Europe, proving an expansion of people out of the Nile Valley into Greece, Albania, etc., which is consistent with the Ancient Egyptian age of empire and colonisation. This is what Zahi Hawass has been sitting on to preserve Egypt's idenity? Hmmm...

Christmas 2012: Yesterday’s World
Revisiting the harem conspiracy and death of Ramesses III: anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic study
BMJ 2012; 345 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e8268 (Published 17 December 2012)
Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e8268

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1. Zahi Hawass, egyptologist1,
2. Somaia Ismail, professor of molecular biology23,
3. Ashraf Selim, professor of radiology4,
4. Sahar N Saleem, professor of radiology4,
5. Dina Fathalla, molecular biologist3,
6. Sally Wasef, molecular biologist5,
7. Ahmed Z Gad, molecular biologist3,
8. Rama Saad, molecular biologist3,
9. Suzan Fares, molecular biologist3,
10. Hany Amer, assistant professor of pharmacology6,
11. Paul Gostner, radiologist7,
12. Yehia Z Gad, professor of molecular genetics2,
13. Carsten M Pusch, molecular biologist8,
14. Albert R Zink, paleopathologist9

1.
1Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt
2.
2Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
3.
3Ancient DNA Laboratory, Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt
4.
4Department of Radiology, Kasr Al Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
5.
5Learning Resource Center, Kasr Al Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
6.
6Department of Animal Reproduction, National Research Center, Egypt
7.
7Department of Radiodiagnostics, Central Hospital Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
8.
8Institute of Human Genetics, Division of Molecular Genetics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
9.
9Institute for Mummies and the Iceman, European Academy, 39100 Bolzano, Italy

1. Correspondence to: A R Zink albert.zink{at}eurac.edu

* Accepted 12 November 2012

Abstract

Objective To investigate the true character of the harem conspiracy described in the Judicial Papyrus of Turin and determine whether Ramesses III was indeed killed.

Design Anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic study of the mummies of Ramesses III and unknown man E, found together and taken from the 20th dynasty of ancient Egypt (circa 1190-1070 BC).

Results Computed tomography scans revealed a deep cut in Ramesses III’s throat, probably made by a sharp knife. During the mummification process, a Horus eye amulet was inserted in the wound for healing purposes, and the neck was covered by a collar of thick linen layers. Forensic examination of unknown man E showed compressed skin folds around his neck and a thoracic inflation. Unknown man E also had an unusual mummification procedure. According to genetic analyses, both mummies had identical haplotypes of the Y chromosome and a common male lineage.

Conclusions This study suggests that Ramesses III was murdered during the harem conspiracy by the cutting of his throat. Unknown man E is a possible candidate as Ramesses III’s son Pentawere.
Introduction

The end of Ramesses III’s life has long been debated among Egyptologists. A series of historical documents, of which the most important is the Judicial Papyrus of Turin,1 2 clearly state that in the year 1155 BC, members of his harem made an attempt on his life as part of a palace coup. According to the documents, the coup failed, but it is unclear whether the assassination was successful. The Judicial Papyrus recounts four separate trials and lists the punishments meted out to those involved in the conspiracy. Chief conspirators included a secondary queen Tiy, and her son Prince Pentawere.1

The ancient documents refer to Ramesses III as “the Great God,” and imply that he had died before or during the trials. However, the texts also imply that the court received direct instructions from the king, who must therefore have survived the original attack.1 The only line specifically interpreted by Egyptologists as a possible metaphor for an assassination is the “overturning of the royal bark.”2 Such circumlocution regarding the cause of a king’s death has long been considered to be part of the protocol of ancient Egyptian literature.

Owing to the inconclusive nature of this textual evidence, and the lack of any obvious cause of death found in previous forensic studies of the king’s mummy,3 scholars have argued a variety of possibilities: the king was injured as part of the plot and later died from his wounds, the plot was foiled entirely, or the attempt was successful.4 Moreover, the mummy of Prince Pentawere has not been definitively identified. However, scholars have considered the mummy of unknown man E as a possible candidate, who was found, like Ramesses III, in the royal cache at Deir el Bahari. Unknown man E’s contorted expression, unusual mummification process, and goat skin were noted during the unwrapping of the mummy in 1886.5 There has also been much speculation about the cause of his death, with poison or burial alive mentioned as possibilities, but no conclusive evidence for either.3

To gather more information about the harem conspiracy and the fates of Ramesses III and the suspected conspirator involved in his assassination, we analysed the mummies of Ramesses III and unknown man E using anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic methods.
Methods

The two mummies underwent a detailed morphological inspection to evaluate preservation and record any signs of injuries or postmortem damage. We combined this information with computed tomography (CT) scans, and did an anthropological and forensic analysis to determine the mummies’ ages and possible causes of death. CT scans were performed using a multidetector CT unit (Somatom Emotion 6; Siemens Medical Solutions) installed on a truck.

Bone samples were taken from different body areas of the mummies (left and right humerus, tibia and femur, iliac bone) using sterilised biopsy needles (HS Trapsystem), and immediately transferred into sterile tubes. Bone sampling was done under sterile conditions in a dedicated room of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. All staff involved in the sampling wore protective clothing, sterile gloves, and facemasks to prevent exogenous contamination. DNA extraction and purification were performed according to our previously published protocols in a dedicated laboratory in the Egyptian Museum, and replicated in a second laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine in Cairo University.6 Both laboratories performed DNA typing under strict precautions, following previously published criteria for ancient DNA authentication.6 7 8

We did a genetic kinship analysis to investigate a possible family relationship between Ramesses III and unknown man E. We amplified 16 Y chromosomal, short tandem repeats (AmpF\STR Yfiler PCR amplification kit; Applied Biosystems). Eight polymorphic microsatellites of the nuclear genome were also amplified (Identifiler and AmpF\STR Minifiler kits; Applied Biosystems). The Y chromosomal haplogroups of Ramesses III and unknown man E was screened using the Whit Athey’s haplogroup predictor.9
Results

The CT investigation revealed a serious wound in the throat of Ramesses III’s mummy, directly under the larynx (fig 1?). The injury was roughly 70 mm wide and extended to the bones (fifth to seventh cervical vertebra), severing all soft tissue areas in the anterior side of the neck (fig 2?). The trachea was clearly cut and its proximal and distal ends were retracted and separated by about 30 mm. A small, focal cortical interruption at the anterior surface of vertebral body was visible, at the seventh cervical vertebra (fig 2). Accordingly, all organs in this region (such as the trachea, oesophagus, and large blood vessels) were severed. The extent and depth of the wound indicated that it could have caused the immediate death of Ramesses III.
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Fig 1 Axial CT section image of the neck of Ramesses III. Stars=wound margins. Arrow=homogenous embalming material seeping into wound and bone
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Fig 2 Sagittal CT section image of the neck of Ramesses III. Arrow=foreign object. Stars=wound margins; embalming material has seeped into wound and bone. Triangles=skin above and below the wound.

A flat, irregular foreign object was lodged in the right lower rim of the wound; it was roughly 15 mm in diameter with a high CT density (2200 HU), similar to a semiprecious stone (fig 2). Reconstruction of this foreign object showed a wedjet (or Horus eye) amulet (fig 3?). The eye of Horus is a magical amulet that served as a metaphor of royal power, protection, and good health in ancient Egypt.10
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Fig 3 Three dimensional reconstruction of Horus eye amulet

We estimated unknown man E to be about 18-20 years old, based on the incomplete fusion of epiphyseal lines in the long bones, as seen in CT scans. Unknown man E underwent an unusual process of mummification for the 20th dynasty of ancient Egypt (1186-1070 BC), because there was no evidence of removal of the inner organs or brain.11 The skin has a reddish colour and the body was covered by a goat skin. Use of goat or sheep skins in dynastic burials was rare because these materials were regarded ritually impure.12 13 The red coloration of the mummy’s skin could have been caused by a mixture of natron, crushed resin, and lime, which had been detected under a layer of bandages during the unwrapping in 1886.5

Unusual compressed skin folds and wrinkles were seen directly under the right mandible and at the right and left neck regions (fig 4?). CT scans confirmed residue in the brain and inner organs, and the absence of embalming material inside body cavities (fig 5?). The scans also revealed taphonomical changes in the mummy, as shown by gas formation in the abdominal cavity, urinary bladder, hip, and lower neck (figs 5 and 6). The thorax also seemed to be strongly inflated with air, together with widened intercostal spaces and a lateral shifting of the scapulae (fig 6?). This effect could be due to postmortem processes of degradation in the mummy, but other reasons for the thorax widening should be considered. In modern cases, diseases such as emphysema or death by suffocation can lead to overinflation of the lungs.14
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Fig 4 Neck region of unknown man E. Arrows=skin folds and wrinkles under right mandible and neck region
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Fig 5 Axial CT image of the lower thoracic region of unknown man E. Thorax is filled with air (stars) and appears to be inflated. Residue in the diaphragm and organs (arrows) are present at the dorsal site
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Fig 6 Axial CT image of the lower neck region and shoulder joints of unknown man E. Scapulae are shifted to the lateral side (arrows), and soft tissues are inflated because of gas formation (star)

Genetic kinship analyses revealed identical haplotypes in both mummies (table 1?); using the Whit Athey’s haplogroup predictor, we determined the Y chromosomal haplogroup E1b1a. The testing of polymorphic autosomal microsatellite loci provided similar results in at least one allele of each marker (table 2?). Although the mummy of Ramesses III’s wife Tiy was not available for testing, the identical Y chromosomal DNA and autosomal half allele sharing of the two male mummies strongly suggest a father-son relationship.
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Table 1

Genetic kinship analysis
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Table 2

Autosomal microsatellite data analysis
Discussion

This study gives clues to the authenticity of the historically described harem conspiracy surrounding Ramesses III, and finally reveals its tragic outcome. Our CT analysis provides evidence that conspirators killed Ramesses III by cutting his throat. The large and deep cut wound in his neck must have been caused by a sharp knife or other blade. Damage to the throat after death appears to be unlikely, because the collar around the mummy’s neck was intact and undamaged at the unwrapping in 1886, where a thick layer of bitumen was removed with a hammer from the mummy.15 It is a possibility that the throat was cut during the mummification process. Embalmers often restored damages during mummification, by inserting wooden sticks or replacing missing body parts;16 however, a treatment in which the throat was cut by the embalmers has not been described in any other Egyptian mummy.

Further evidence of an assassination comes from the presence of a Horus eye amulet in the wound. The presence of the amulet deep in the soft tissue of the wound together with the homogeneous material that penetrated the wound up to the bone substantiate the supposition that the wound was already present at the time of embalming. Most probably, the ancient Egyptian embalmers tried to restore the wound during mummification by inserting the amulet (generally used for healing purposes) and by covering the neck with a collar of thick linen layers (fig 7?).
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Fig 7 Mummy of Ramesses III

Our analysis showed that Ramesses III and unknown man E shared the same paternal lineage and had identical alleles at autosomal markers, strongly suggesting that they were father and son. However, based on the genetic testing, any differentiation among the several sons of Ramesses III was not possible. Historically, Pentawere was the only son who revolted against his father in contrast to all his brothers. According to the Judicial Papyrus of Turin, Pentawere was involved in the harem conspiracy, was found guilty at trial, and then took his own life.

The unusual mummification process of unknown man E, including the ritually impure use of a goat skin to cover the body, could be interpreted as evidence for a punishment in the form of a non-royal burial procedure. Together with the genetically proven family relationship with Ramesses III, we therefore believe that unknown man E is a good candidate for Pentawere. Unknown man E’s cause of death has to remain a matter of speculation. His inflated thorax and the skinfolds around his neck may point to violent actions that led to death, such as strangulation. However, the lack of further evidence for strangulation (such as fractures in the laryngeal skeleton)17 and the gas formation in the body caused by decomposition processes does not allow any clear conclusions regarding the cause of death of unknown man E.
Notes

Cite this as: BMJ 2012;345:e8268
Footnotes

*

We thank the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt for their generous support of this study.
*

Contributors: ZH, SI, YZG, CPM, and ARZ designed the study, analysed the data, and drafted the manuscript. AS, HA, SNS, and PG did the radiological and forensic data analysis. DF, SW, AZG, SF, and RS provided and analysed the molecular data. All the authors reviewed the final version of the manuscript. ZH, AZG, CPM, and ARZ had full access to all of the data in the study, and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. ARZ is the study guarantor.
*

Funding: This study was supported by Discovery Channel and Brando Quilici productions and the Landesgraduierten-Förderung Tübingen. The writing of the article and the decision to submit the article for publication was entirely independent of the funder. The funder had no input into the study design or analysis, nor the interpretation of data.
*

Competing interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf (available on request from the corresponding author) and declare: support from Discovery Channel and Brando Quilici productions and the Landesgraduierten-Förderung Tübingen for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any companies that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
*

Data sharing: No additional data available.

References

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Brier B. The mystery of unknown man E. Archaeology2006;59:36-42.
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Maspero G. Les momies royales de Deir el-Bahari. Mémoires de la Mission Archéologique Française au Caire. Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale Cairo, 1889.
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Hawass Z, Gad YZ, Ismail S, Khairat R, Fathalla D, Hasan N, et al. Ancestry and pathology in King Tutankhamun’s family. JAMA2010;303:638-47.
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Hofreiter M, Serre D, Poinar HN, Kuch M, Pääbo S. Ancient DNA. Nat Rev Genet2001;2:353-9.
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Roberts C, Ingham S. Using ancient DNA analysis in paleopathology: a critical analysis of published papers, with recommendations for future work. Int J Osteoarcheol2008;18:600-13.
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Iskander Z. Mummification in ancient Egypt: development, history, and techniques. In: Harris JE, Wente EF, eds. An x-ray atlas of the royal mummies. University of Chicago Press, 1980.
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Forbes RJ. Studies in ancient technology: 1. Brill, 1964.
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6 Comments:

At 3:22 AM , Blogger MrK said...

Also read on this blog:

(DNATRIBES) King Tut's DNA Matches With Central Africans

 
At 5:10 PM , Blogger MrK said...

Also see this link here for the complete article (need to be a member of academia.edu).

 
At 5:57 AM , Blogger MrK said...


Microsatellite markers

Tutankhamon

D13S317: 10, 12
D7S820: 10, 15
D2S1338: 16, 26
D21S11: 29, 34
D16S539: 8, 13
D18S51: 19, 19
CSF1PO: 6, 12
FGA: 23, 23

Image:
http://amaprod.silverchaircdn.com/data/Journals/JAMA/4500/joc05008f1.png

Source:
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=185393

This is from DNA Tribes, on why Tutankhamon's dna is most prevalent in Southern Africa today.

http://dnatribes.com/dnatribes-digest-2012-01-01.pdf

"These regional matches do not necessarily indicate an exclusively African ancestry for the Amarna pharaonic family. However, results indicate these ancient individuals inherited some alleles that today are more frequent in populations of Africa than in other parts of the world (such as D18S51=19 and D21S11=34)."

 
At 9:01 PM , Blogger MrK said...

(BMJ, RESEARCH GATE) Revisiting the harem conspiracy and death of Ramesses III: anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic study

Genetic kinship analyses revealed identical haplotypes in both mummies (table 1⇓); using the Whit Athey’s haplogroup predictor, we determined the Y chromosomal haplogroup E1b1a. The testing of polymorphic autosomal microsatellite loci provided similar results in at least one allele of each marker (table 2⇓). Although the mummy of Ramesses III’s wife Tiy was not available for testing, the identical Y chromosomal DNA and autosomal half allele sharing of the two male mummies strongly suggest a father-son relationship.

Revisiting the harem conspiracy and death of Ramesses III: anthropological, forensic, radiological, and genetic study (PDF Download Available).

 
At 12:16 PM , Blogger MrK said...


A close examination of the Nature study:

(NATURE) Ancient Egyptian mummy genomes suggest an increase of Sub-Saharan African ancestry in post-Roman periods
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15694

Comment on the many problems with the interpretation of this study are listed by professors Alain Anselin and S.O.Y. Keita.

https://maravi.blogspot.com/2019/10/methodological-problems-with-nature.html

Published here:

https://osf.io/ecwf3/

 
At 7:26 AM , Blogger Isaac7 said...

This was really interesting. Glad I stumbled upon this!

 

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