The Egyptians were already trying to cure cancer during Antiquity, according to this study

Published on June 4, 2024 at 11:35 by Aurélia ABISUR

Cancer may be “the evil of the century”, but it was already there more than 4000 years ago. Archaeologists have just studied ancient skulls revealing how the Egyptians tried to cure them.

Read laterSavedFollow #ancient egypt#ancient egypt Follow

Archaeological discoveries, vestiges of bygone eras, are not only visually interesting, they teach us a lot about the lifestyles and traditions of past civilizations. Recently, researchers analyzed two skulls dating from ancient Egypt. They show how there is 4000 years Already, medicine was trying to treat cancer.

Ancient Egypt: study of skulls with cancerous lesions

Between the considerable advances for diagnosing disease and incredible surgical feats, medical progress is inseparable from our time. For example, while in 1909 life expectancy was 33 years on average, it is currently 73 years. However, it is wrong to imagine that before the 19th-21st centuries, no medical advances took place. Two skullsfrom the Duckworth collection at the University of Cambridge, offer new insight into the cancer treatment during ancient Egyptas reported in a study published in the journal Frontiers.

There is 4000 years already, cancer was not taken lightly. Lesions present on the surface of the skulls initially intrigued the researchers. Very quickly they were identified as being linked to metastasized cancers. One of these skulls, that of a man who died around the age of 30-35, showed signs of intriguing incisions. Experts deduced that these were signs of an operation. And because there was no sign of recovery, according to them the person in question would have been operated on, either just before his death or post-mortem.

“Ancient Egyptians could manage complex fractures and other trauma, but cancer remained a difficult medical frontier to cross”explained Edgard Camarós, paleopathologist who participated in the study.

— Health Niche (@HealthNicheInc) https://twitter.com/HealthNicheInc/status/1797631166524383586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Cancer treatment in ancient Egypt

The other skull analyzed would have belonged to a woman. More recent, it dates from between 663 and 343 BC. AD. In addition to a significant cancerous lesion, he presented several cranial fractures. But unlike the other skull, these showed signs of healing. The researchers noted that they would have been generated by sharp and blunt tools. Which obviously brings to mind surgical equipment.

However, some voices among experts count on potential injuries inflicted during a fight. If this were the reason, it would put into perspective the role of women in the armed conflicts of Antiquity.

The effective management of fractures proves that the Egyptians had a keen level of medical expertise. And even though cancer proved to be one of the last frontiers, Egyptians appeared to be actively seeking treatments. It is also proof that even if cancer is the disease of the century, it is not new. According to Edgard Camarós, “Cancer has been around since the beginning and in many forms. Even the dinosaurs suffered from it ».

Source :

The New York Times

Read also :