While Ancient Egypt is widely renowned for its pyramids, hieroglyphics, and mummies, this sophisticated civilization contributed more to the modern world than you may realize. Medicine was one area where the Ancient Egyptians made a wide array of advancements, the likes of which still benefit society today.
Upon looking at ancient scrolls and manuscripts, it becomes apparent that Ancient Egyptians were the first ones to mention doctors. In around the 25th century B.C., the first mention of doctors was made. Apparently, the physician had cured the pharaoh of the time from an ailment in his nostrils. In fact, Egyptian doctors became so prolific that surrounding kingdoms including Greece and Persia began seeking them out. It wouldn’t be long before the Egyptians would begin developing remedies and medicines.
Researchers uncovered a 4,000-year-old skull from Egypt’s Old Kingdom that happened to show signs of nasopharyngeal cancer. Upon closer inspection, they discovered cutmarks, remarkably showing that physicians back then actually tried to treat cancer, the earliest attempt on record.
It wasn’t just cancer treatments that the Egyptians were onto first. By wrapping broken bones in splints made of wood, the Egyptians became experts at healing broken bones and damaged limbs. What’s more, they pioneered prosthetic limbs. The oldest prosthetic limb discovered was a 3000-year-old leather and wood artificial toe found in Egypt.