A recent study examined two ancient skulls to see how far Egyptian medicine reached in treating injuries and tumors. The lead researcher, Tatiana Tondini, noted that Egyptians could handle complex skull fractures, but cancer was a whole new challenge. This research, published in Frontiers in Medicine, sheds new light on ancient medical practices.
The skulls, housed at Cambridge University, belonged to a young man (around 3,500 years old) and an older woman (between 2,300 and 1,700 years old). The man’s skull showed signs of a large tumor with smaller growths that had spread (metastasized). Cut marks around these areas were even more surprising, suggesting some surgery with a sharp tool. “We were amazed by what we saw under the microscope,” said Tondini.
The woman’s skull also had a tumor that destroyed bone. This discovery highlights that cancer existed even in ancient times, not just because of modern lifestyles and pollution. Interestingly, this woman’s skull also had healed injuries from violence, possibly from a weapon. This suggests she received medical care after a fight, which challenges our ideas about women’s roles in those times.
In conclusion, these skulls offer a glimpse into early attempts to fight cancer and the remarkable resilience of people facing illness and injury in ancient Egypt.
