Interpersonal violence in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt: evidence of craniofacial traumas from the tomb of Pwinre (TT39) (fifteenth century BC), Luxor: evidence of craniofacial traumas from the tomb of Pwinre (TT39) (fifteenth century BC), Luxor

Skull 39-S1, from the tomb of Pwinre (TT39) the second prophet of Amun during the Middle Kingdom, was macroscopically and radiologically analysed. The skull presents a consolidated fracture of the nasal bones with displacement and tripod fracture, which caused a collapse of the floor of the left orbit, a thrusting of the maxilla over the zygomatic and left zygomatic-maxillary suture and zygomatic arch fracture with overthrusting of the fragments. These two fractures, independent of each other, are consistent with one or more episodes of interpersonal violence, whose ultimate origin may be found in impacts of a fist or a blunt object. The border situation of Thebes (ancient Luxor) and sports/ritual practices of Nubians put us in a possible scenario of interpersonal violence as the formal practice of stick-fighting or wrestling combat typical of this geographical area.