Discovery of Ancient Egyptian Skull Suggests Early Attempts to Treat Brain Cancer
A 4,000-year-old Egyptian skull, belonging to a male individual aged between 30 to 35 years, shows signs of brain cancer and possible surgical intervention. The skull, dated between 2687 and 2345 B.C., exhibits cut marks around the edges and multiple lesions caused by metastasized cancer.
The skull was examined by scientists led by paleopathologist Dr. Edgard Camarós from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, alongside Tatiana Tondini from the University of Tübingen, Germany, and Albert Isidro from the University Hospital Sagrat Cor, Spain. These cut marks appear to have been made with a metal tool, indicating early attempts at surgical treatment or post-mortem examination to understand the disease.
This finding, detailed in a study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine, suggests ancient Egyptian efforts in medical practice to address cancer, pushing back the timeline of documented cancer treatments by up to 1,000 years. Another notable skull analyzed, dated 2,600 years old, showed evidence of healed traumatic injuries, further illustrating advanced medical knowledge among ancient Egyptians.
The study underscores the historical presence of cancer, offering a new perspective on ancient medical practices. According to Dr. Camarós, cancer is an age-old affliction, observed even in dinosaurs, challenging modern perceptions of the disease as a purely contemporary issue. Further research is planned to explore similar evidence in ancient sites globally.