A recent study published in Frontiers in Medicine has unveiled nearly invisible cut marks on a 4,000-year-old Egyptian skull, suggesting that ancient Egyptians may have attempted treatments for cancer. These findings, housed in the Duckworth Collection at the University of Cambridge, offer a unique glimpse into early medical practices.
Detailed findings from two skulls
Two skulls in the collection display evidence of cancer and other injuries, alongside signs of attempted treatments. Paleopathologist Edgard Camarós from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain highlighted the significance of these findings, stating, “This is an extraordinary new perspective in our understanding of the history of medicine.”
Analysis of skull 236
The first skull, identified as number 236, belonged to a man who lived between 2687 and 2345 BCE. Analysis revealed approximately thirty lesions on his skull, indicative of metastasized cancer. One significant lesion, a coin-sized neoplasm on the top of his head, shows the tissue destruction caused by the cancer. This man likely died in his early 30s.
Analysis of skull E270
The second skull, numbered E270, belonged to a woman who lived between 663 and 343 BCE and died over the age of 50. Her skull features a large lesion consistent with osteosarcoma or meningioma. Additionally, a healed sharp-force trauma above her left eyebrow suggests she was struck with a sharp object. The healing of these wounds indicates she survived the injury.
Insights into ancient Egyptian medicine
The advanced stage of cancer in both individuals suggests a link to their mortality, though the exact causes of death remain unknown. The study posits that the ancient Egyptians attempted treatments for cancer, but a definitive cure eluded them. This research provides a rare and valuable insight into the medical knowledge and practices of ancient civilizations.