New Insights on the “Plague of Akhetaten”

A recent study suggests that the much-discussed “plague of Akhetaten” may not have actually impacted the city itself. Researchers conducted a comparison of local burial practices, the city’s lifestyle, and population trends to what is commonly seen in areas affected by real epidemics.

This investigation was extensive. Four cemeteries from the city were analyzed, containing an estimated 11,350 to 12,950 individuals, with hundreds of graves closely examined.

The cemeteries were excavated between 2005 and 2022, providing a detailed view of how ordinary citizens were laid to rest.

Investigating the Akhetaten Plague

Gretchen R. Dabbs, a bioarchaeologist from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, played a significant role in this research. The study aggregates burial data, evidence from settlements, and population models related to Akhetaten, known today as Amarna.

According to Dabbs, “When you look at all the evidence together, there’s little indication that Akhetaten experienced a deadly epidemic.”

The team sought classic signs of a crisis but found none. Instead, their observations showed typical burials, meticulous wrapping, and grave goods placed with care rather than haphazardly discarded.

While texts from surrounding areas speak of disease—like Hittite “plague prayers”—none suggest that a deadly outbreak occurred within Akhetaten itself.

This new evaluation weighs those historical texts against actual archaeological findings at the site, validating them with concrete evidence.

What the Cemeteries Reveal

Most graves consist of single pit burials, often using textile shrouds or mats as coffins. The bodies were not placed randomly; rather, the arrangements were quite orderly.

There are multiple burials, particularly in one northern cemetery, but the pairings matter. Adult women are often buried with children, indicating a deliberate choice rather than a chaotic response.

This northern site has a notably high number of deceased individuals aged between 5 and 25, which is atypical for a general town cemetery. This suggests a more confined group of individuals, rather than a representative sample of the city’s population.

A photograph from the North Tombs Cemetery illustrates a triple burial. However, context is crucial; this area also shows signs of intensive labor on the skeletons, hinting at a young labor force under duress.

Searching for Evidence of the Plague

The research leans heavily on bioarchaeology, focusing on human remains from archaeological sites to differentiate between hard facts and speculative narratives. It examines shifts in burial practices and looks for cemetery clusters indicating sudden spikes in mortality.

Researchers also explore paleopathology, which involves studying diseases in ancient bones. Unfortunately, many fast-acting infections fail to leave marks on skeletons, particularly when death occurs swiftly.

“Mass Grave” Idea Lacks Support

Contrary to what may be expected, large pits intended for mass burials are not common in Amarna. Where multiple individuals share a grave, the arrangements frequently connect women and children.

This consistent pairing points to strong caregiving relationships, which sounds more like a cultural practice than a chaotic event.

Across the cemeteries, individuals show signs like linear enamel hypoplasia in their teeth, indicative of childhood stress, along with spinal injuries and degenerative joint diseases—evidence of hard lives rather than rampant contagion.

The team employed paleodemography to estimate past population structures from burial data, comparing expected mortality rates with observed numbers over two decades. They found them to align closely.

Such consistency is significant. A true mass-mortality event would manifest as a noticeable spike in burial counts, yet the evidence does not support this.

Aftermath of an Epidemic

Epidemics that severely impact a city typically disrupt normal systems, leading to hurried burials, larger pits, and delayed constructions, with people leaving belongings behind.

However, the data from Akhetaten indicates a methodical approach to burials, and signs of ongoing activity suggest that city life continued during those years.

The capital didn’t simply vanish. It gradually contracted as royal policies changed following the supposed plague, with some residents remaining for several years. This slow decline matches archaeological findings and contrasts sharply with a narrative of rapid collapse due to a sudden epidemic.

A Closer Look at the Northern Cemetery

One northern burial site stands out due to its high number of youth deaths and numerous shared graves, likely serving a labor force instead of the entire city.

Signs of heavy workloads appear in the skeletal remains. When combined with the stresses of poor nutrition, this can lead to serious health issues without needing a single deadly pathogen to blame.

Although Hittite records and diplomatic letters from the Late Bronze Age describe diseases, they provide a broader regional context rather than specific occurrences in Akhetaten.

Lessons from the Akhetaten Plague

Archaeologists study taphonomy—how remains change post-death—since decay can create the illusion of careless burials.

They also consider syndemics, which refer to interconnected health issues that can exacerbate one another, relevant to the mix of work strain and malnutrition seen in the city.

This approach sheds light on how difficult living conditions can increase mortality rates without a distinct catastrophic disease event. It also illustrates why stories of plague endure.

Documented royal deaths and vivid depictions of disease-related deities contribute to this narrative, often leading to a simplified version of events. However, this new work emphasizes the need to base stories on factual evidence.

Findings from graves, bones, and urban layers suggest that Akhetaten was a stressed but operational city, not one devastated by a lethal epidemic.

This case illustrates the importance of scrutinizing grand narratives against local realities and how scientific inquiry can reshape our understanding without sensationalism.

The study is published in the American Journal of Archaeology.