DISEASES OF THE DEADDISEASES OF THE DEAD:ILLNESS IN ANCIENT EGYPTILLNESS IN ANCIENT EGYPT

“In Egypt, the men are more skilled in medicine than any of human kind.”y

–Homer, The Odyssey

MacKenzie Sizemore

DEATH IN EGYPTIAN CULTUREDEATH IN EGYPTIAN CULTURE

Culture strongly focused on the underworld and

ft lifafterlife Believed souls could

k it t ft lif l if make it to afterlife only if body was properly preservedpreserved

Mummification used to preserve bodiespreserve bodies

Great Pyramids built 2600 BC for pharaohs2600 BC for pharaohs Egyptian mummy and sarcophagus

<http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ancient-egyptian-mummies.html>

MUMMIFICATIONMUMMIFICATION

I t l g d Internal organs removed, dried, and put in canopicjars (brain discarded jars (brain discarded, heart left in body)

Natron salt was used to Natron salt was used to dry out the body

Body dressed in fragrant Body dressed in fragrant oils

Body wrapped in many Body wrapped in many layers of linen, painted with resin to stay together

Canopic jars from 990 BC<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CanopicJarsOfNeskhons-BritishMuseum-August21-08.jpg>s BritishMuseum August21 08.jpg

BURIALBURIAL

Offerings placed with body, tombs sometimes elaborately decoratedelaborately decorated

Amulets placed between linen wrappings tokens to linen wrappings, tokens to protect body in underworld

Book of Dead placed with oo o ead p aced tbody, instructions for happiness in afterlife

Painted Egyptian Tomb Ka statue placed in tomb,

resting place for the soul

Painted Egyptian Tomb<http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/farid/egypt/tombhistory/large/060.2.jpg>

Book of the DeadBook of the Dead<http://www.crystalinks.com/egyptafterlife.html>

Ankh Amulet<http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight image aspx?image=ps239496 jghts/highlight_image.aspx?image=ps239496.jpg&retpage=15261>

Ka Statue<http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/newegypt/htm/wk_nika.htm>

HOW DO MUMMIES HELP US TODAY?HOW DO MUMMIES HELP US TODAY?

Because such great lengths were taken to create mummies, scientists today have many well-preserved bodies to study

Advances in x ray and other scanning or Advances in x-ray and other scanning or imaging technologies allows us to investigate b di th h i l l lbodies on the chemical level

Mummification shows Egyptians understood gyphuman anatomy

MEDICAL PRACTICESMEDICAL PRACTICES

Physicians usually specialized in one field Exceptional doctors were worshipped as gods Code of ethics governed practices Cures ranged from surgeries to magic spellsg g g p

Splint on fractured forearm of a mummy<http://www.arabworldbooks.com/articles8b.htm>

EGYPTIAN DOCTORS AND HEALERSEGYPTIAN DOCTORS AND HEALERS

Three main types of healers Sunu-educated physicians that used surgery Sunu educated physicians that used surgery

and medicine to treat woundsS gi h l th t t t d k d Sau-magic healers that treated snake and scorpion bites

Priests of Sekhmet-healers used to cure illnesses such as plagueillnesses such as plague

Women could also become doctors or midwives

MEDICAL INSTITUTIONSMEDICAL INSTITUTIONS

Per-ankh (“Houses of Life”)

Taught physicians and midwives

Home of medical librarieslibraries

Per-ankh of Imhotep at MemphisMemphis

Per-ankh at Sais <http://www.nigli.net/akhenaten/egyptm_2.html>

MEDICAL TEXTSMEDICAL TEXTS

S i di l t t ( i) Seven main medical texts (papyri) Contain descriptions of ailments and p

treatments Document real medical cases Document real medical cases Show general understanding of most body

systems Shows knowledge of gynecology and obstetrics Shows knowledge of gynecology and obstetrics

EBERS PAPYRUSEBERS PAPYRUS

Written 1534 BC Longest medical papyrus

at 110 pages Covers descriptions and

treatments of many different ailments

Discovered with mummy in necropolis

Page from the Ebers papyrus<http://www.crystalinks.com/egyptmedicine.html>

EDWIN SMITH PAPYRUSEDWIN SMITH PAPYRUS

Written 1700 BC Focus on wounds and

surgery techniques 2nd longest medical text Purchased by American

antique dealer Edwin Smith in 1862

Shows basic knowledge of Part of the papyrus, close up of hieroglyphs<http://nihrecord od nih gov/newsletters/2008/01 25 2008/story7 htm>

the circulatory system

<http://nihrecord.od.nih.gov/newsletters/2008/01_25_2008/story7.htm>

COMMON ILLNESSESCOMMON ILLNESSES

Tuberculosis Schistosomiasis Gum disease Arthritis Cataracts Polio

Mummy’s teeth show extensive wear<http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/timelines/topics/medicine.htm>

Polio Scorpion/Snake Bites Parasitic diseases Parasitic diseases

(tapeworm, roundworm)False teeth False teeth <http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/timelines/topics/medicine.htm>

FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTHFACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH

Dry, arid climate contributed to eye diseases Abundance of disease-carrying pestsAbundance of disease carrying pests Sand and stone used to grind grains, entered

di t d d t thdiet and wore down teeth Dietary deficienciesy Flooding spread schistosomiasis

REMEDIES AND CURESREMEDIES AND CURES

Pl i l h b Plants, animals, herbs, and minerals used in medicinesmedicines

Had prescriptionsU d d d Understood dosage depended on age and body sizebody size

Spells used in conjunction with some conjunction with some remedies

Egyptian medicine bottlegyp<http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/timelines/topics/medicine.htm>

SURGERYSURGERY

Tools such as knives, drills, saws, hooks

Used stitches to sew wounds shut

Bodies have been found with amputated limbs that show healing before death

Egyptian surgical kit<http://allaboutegypt.org/2009/06/ancient-egyptian-inventions/>http://allaboutegypt.org/2009/06/ancient egyptian inventions/

Egyptian Midwives Assisting Birth<http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/waymac/History%20A/A%20T %202/1 %20Eg t/ g ti di0A/A%20Term%202/1.%20Egypt/egyptian_medicine.htm>

Doctor practicing reflexology<http://www.distanthealer.co.uk/reflexology.htm>g

Prosthetic toe used to help amputee walk<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Prosthetic_toe.jpg>

Egyptian inscriptions showing medical tools<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ancient_Egyptian_medical_instruments.jpg>

MEDICINE RECIPESMEDICINE RECIPES

For indigestion: Mix crushed hog’s tooth into sugar cakes, eat for four days

For burns: Mix milk of a woman who has born a son gum and ram’s hairson, gum, and ram s hair

For skin lesions: Mix scribe’s excrement and milk, apply to skin

For cataracts: Mix tortoise brain and honey For cataracts: Mix tortoise brain and honey, apply to eye

WHY STUDY ANCIENT DISEASES?WHY STUDY ANCIENT DISEASES?

Understanding the implications of diseases in ancient times helps us better understand how these diseases function today, and can help scientists develop cures.scientists develop cures.

Seeing how diseases have changed over time is ti l i d t di th i f essential in understanding the progression of

human diseases.

WORKS CITEDWORKS CITED

A i t E t htt // i t t k/ ht lAncient Egypt <http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/menu.html>Diseases in Ancient Egypt <http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/age/disease.html>Egyptian Mummification <http://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/explorations/online/mummification/Pages/history1.html>p // p / p / / / g / yMedicine <http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/egypt/dailylife/medicine.html>Medicine in Ancient Egypt <http://www.arabworldbooks.com/articles8.htm>Mummies and Disease in Egypt <htt // i d / l / i/ i590/6 2M i %20M i %20 d%20Di %20i %20Eg<http://www.uic.edu/classes/osci/osci590/6_2Mummies%20Mummies%20and%20Disease%20in%20Egypt.htm>Schistosomiasis <http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/schistosomiasis/factsht_schistosomiasis.htm>Smith and Ebers Papyrus <http://www.crystalinks.com/egyptmedicine.html>Titles of Healers in Ancient Egypt <http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/med/healingtitles.html>

Diseases of the DeadDiseases of the Dead

By: Syed Sohail

3 November 2010

BackgroundBackground• Ancient mummies had hardened• Ancient mummies had hardened

arteries.• Heart disease-world’s leading

killer• Contribute to urbanization, fast-

food diets, and smoking. • Heart disease existed 3,000 years

agoago.• Heart disease can link to diet• Methods of studying mummies-

Autopsy, X-Ray, CT scanning, p y, y, g,scanning electron microscopy.

• Mummies are great for studying diseases

Quick FactsQuick Facts…• 12 Million people alive today• 12 Million people alive today

have history of heart attack, chest pain, or a combination of both.

• Estimated 1.1 million Americans will have a new or recurrent coronary attack this year.

• Usually prevalent in men over 65; is also leading cause of death among women in USdeath among women in US.

• On average, women develop coronary artery disease fifteen years later than men and 39%years later than men and 39% of women die from the disease as compared to 31% of men.

Medicine in Ancient Egypt from Medicine in Ancient Egypt

• Diseases of the eye-Night blindness, cataracts.

• Dental diseases-loose teethDental diseases loose teeth, abscess, teeth deterioration.

• Prescriptions-many ate radish, garlic, and onion. g ,

• Alternative medicine-used massages and heliotheraphy

• Had medical facilities with about 4 hour work schedules

• More advanced than other primitive civilizations.

Atherosclerosis in Ancient MummiesAtherosclerosis in Ancient Mummies•Pharaoh Merenptah (1213-1203 BC) suffered f h l i h i i d d lfrom atherosclerosis, arthritis, and dental decay.

•Team selected 22 mummies for examinationTeam selected 22 mummies for examination

•Whole body scanning was done on the mummies

•16 had blood vessel tissues left in their bodies

•In four of them, the heart could be identified.

•Estimate the age of the mummies.

•Mummies exhibited calcification.

•Atherosclerosis was found both in male andAtherosclerosis was found both in male and female mummies.

How It Was DoneHow It Was Done •Examined the mummies in computed tomography (CT) scanner-takes x-rays from many angles and creates a composite image.

•Mummification-heart was removed; researches had to observe the

t i f th iarteries of the mummies.

•Where the vessels had been damaged the team traced the tracksdamaged, the team traced the tracks along the arteries in the body

Operation of Computed Tomography Scanner

•Medical imaging technique that uses computer processing to create a three-dimensional image of inside of an object.o s de o a objec

•Cancer

•Windowing

•Medicine-diagnosing diseases.

•Used in archeology to study biological and pathological specimens.

Computed Tomography ScannerComputed Tomography Scanner

Class DivisionClass Division• Lady Rai ancient Egyptian women• Lady Rai-ancient Egyptian women

• High socioeconomic class

• Heart disease was found in ancient mummies.

• It is hard to say what exactly caused the buildup of calcium in theirIt is hard to say what exactly caused the buildup of calcium in their arteries.

• Poor were not mummified.

• Cardiovascular disease was not limited to one kingdom or dynasty.

Diet of EgyptiansDiet of Egyptians

•Ate salted fish, bread, & cheese., ,

•Rich foods-cow, sheep, goat meat, honey, and cakes with butter-according to Abdel Nureldin from Cairo University in Egypt.

•Diet may have helped accumulate fats in their arteries.

AssumptionsAssumptionsS th t b th• Some say that because the mummies were from a high socioeconomic class, they ate meat and ma ha e salted itmeat and may have salted it

• No refrigeration; salt was used to preserve meat.

• Heart disease is as old as the pyramids.

DNA of Ancient Mummies-Test for Infection & Genetic Similarity

Ki T t• King Tut• Study more about King Tut and

royal mummies-Zahi Hawass f E t’ C il ffrom Egypt’s Council of Antiquities teamed with paleogeneticist Carsten Pusch

• They extracted ancient DNA from the mummies’ bones and amplified short sequences in th DNAthe DNA

• Through DNA sequencing, the researchers were able to name the mummies that were before anonymous.

DNA SequencingDNA SequencingM i Id tif th i f th t b• Mapping-Identify the region of the genome to be sequenced.

• Library Creation-make smaller clones from larger clones.

• Template Preparation-Purify the DNA • Gel Electrophoresis-Determine sequences fromGel Electrophoresis Determine sequences from

smaller clones. • Data editing & Finishing-Determine quality of• Data editing & Finishing-Determine quality of

sequences found

Mystery of AkhenatenMystery of Akhenaten Ph i l h t i ti f• Physical characteristics of Akhenaten make him stand out in Egyptian art.gyp

• Shown as having a long neck with a long face, l d l dlong arms, and enlarged breasts

• Some say he was a• Some say he was a woman dressed up as a man while others say he

ff d fsuffered from a syndrome.

Theories behind Akhenaten-from Mystery of Akhenaten: Genetic or Aesthetics?

• He suffered from Froehlich’s• He suffered from Froehlich s Syndrome-but he was fertile

• He suffered from MarfanHe suffered from Marfan Syndrome

• Some say he was depicted like th t b f li ithat because of religious symbolism

• Some say he was completely fineSome say he was completely fine.

• His body has not yet been found

Other Diseases From Ancient Times

• Arthritis One of the oldest diseases of• Arthritis-One of the oldest diseases of civilization.

• Tuberculosis- is one of the common diseases found in ancient mummiesdiseases found in ancient mummies from both Peru and Egypt.

• Achondroplasia-linked with dwarfism; f d ith d li blwomen were found with undeliverable

fetuses of women mummies.

• Schistosomiasis-Parasitic disease d b iti it l d tcaused by a parasitic worm; it leads to

damage of the internal organs and is a chronic illness.

• Smallpox-Viral disease from domesticated cattle; it was found in Pharaoh Rameses V.

• Head injuries in mummies that are common

SourcesSources Articles For ReferenceArticles For Reference

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125849125093052279 ht l3052279.html

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2009/11/17-02.htmlhttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=king-tut-dnahttp://www.heptune.com/Marfans.html

Other Sources

http://www.uic.edu/classes/osci/osci590/6_2Mummies%20Mummies%20and%20Disease%20in%20Egypt.htmgyp

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/graphics/DNASeq.Process.pdf

http://www.factsaboutheartdisease.com/p