Evidence of the brutal lives endured by some ancient Egyptians to build the monuments of the Pharaohs has been uncovered by archaeologists.

Skeletal remains from a lost city in the middle of Egypt suggest many ordinary people died in their teenage years and lived a punishing lifestyle.

Many suffered from spinal injuries, poor nutrition and stunted growth.

The remains were found at Amarna, a new capital built on the orders of the Pharaoh Akhenaten, 3,500 years ago...

"The bones reveal a darker side to life, a striking reversal of the image that Akhenaten promoted, of an escape to sunlight and nature" says Professor Barry Kemp who is leading the excavations...

Three videos attached to this article.

Grim secrets of Pharaoh's city, John Hayes-Fisher, BBC Timewatch, UK, January 25, 2008.

With increases in family and work commitments I can no longer update this blog as frequently as I used to. I will endeavour to post interesting bits of news as I find them but cannot be as comprehensive as before.

You can also keep up with all of the latest Egyptology news by keeping an eye on Andie Byrnes' blog.

Many thanks to those who asked how I was.

Mark.