Ancient Egyptian Medicine Curius Institutio a Curatio Vetustas Mummification "Medical Diagnosis"

Medical Diagnosis and the Ancient World

Medicine and disease in ancient Egypt have been well document in the ancient papyri that have been uncovered by archeologists. However, the written testimony of an individual long since past certainly has its limitations. The mummy has become the physical evidence of death and disease in ancient Egyptian society. By studying the masterfully preserved bodies , modern medicine has uncovered the some of the medical hardships that Egyptians endured. Studies, using computed axial tomography scans (CAT) have uncovered evidence that Egyptians were particularly sensitive to parasitic invasion. In fact, ancient Egyptians suffered from malaria, among other parasitic disease that still exist today. The ability to examine the same disease in two very distant time periods, allows for the study of disease evolution. The mummy has certainly become an important part of scientific study and research, and will continue to be a rich source of preserved history.

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--The mummified head of Pharaoh Seqenenra, dated to the 17th Dynasty, 1663 B.C. - 1555 B.C.. The arrows indicate various injuries to his head, which most likely caused his death. The head is held at the Cairo Museum. (Citation)--

--The mummy of Saptah from the 19th Dyansty, 1293 B.C - 1185 B.C, with a most serious case of clubfoot. Held at the Cairo Museum. (Citation)--

--Believed to be the oldest suture (both images), this 1100 B.C. stitching was most likely placed by the embalmer after the organs had been removed. (Citation)--

--This priest of Amun from the 21st Dynasty, 1069 B.C. - 525 B.C., is an example of spinal tuberculosis, also called Pott's disease. This disease causes deformed angles of the spine, which are apparent in this mummy's case. (Citation)--

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