Expert: Ralph Salier - 10/16/2009

Question
Hi Ralph,


I have read the Ancient noble Egyptians would marry the close relatives, for instance, their brothers, sisters or cousins. However, the babies that born by the close relatives couples usually have some deformities or low IQ. Was this a concern of the nobles in Ancient Egypt?

Also, did the nobles in Ancient Egypt have a lower life expectancy than the other ancient Egyptians?


Answer
Hi Ronchel,

Yes the royal families of Ancient Egypt did marry within the family.  This did lead to children with genetic faults, many died very young or were still born.  There were many deformities including an extra digit (6 fingers), to malformed arm bones and skull bones.  This did impact the IQ of some but most that were so impacted never made it to the throne.  

Did they have a shorter life span?  Due to intrigue yes, also those who led their troops into fights may not have survived, there were "hunting accidents" etc... Some had extraordinary long lives, Ramses II for instance lived some 60 years as Pharaoh.  Of course the average Egyptian did not live so long owing to a very hard life.  Temple priests and other officials often lived longer lives then royalty and in comfort.