Evidence of amputation as medical treatment in ancient Egypt
2009; Wiley; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1002/oa.1061
ISSN1099-1212
AutoresTosha L. Dupras, Lana J. Williams, M. De Meyer, C. Peeters, D. Depraetere, Bart Vanthuyne, Harco Willems,
Tópico(s)Paleopathology and ancient diseases
ResumoInternational Journal of OsteoarchaeologyVolume 20, Issue 4 p. 405-423 Research Article Evidence of amputation as medical treatment in ancient Egypt T. L. Dupras, Corresponding Author T. L. Dupras [email protected] Department of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USADepartment of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.Search for more papers by this authorL. J. Williams, L. J. Williams Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA 18104, USASearch for more papers by this authorM. De Meyer, M. De Meyer Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorC. Peeters, C. Peeters Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorD. Depraetere, D. Depraetere Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorB. Vanthuyne, B. Vanthuyne Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorH. Willems, H. Willems Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this author T. L. Dupras, Corresponding Author T. L. Dupras [email protected] Department of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USADepartment of Anthropology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.Search for more papers by this authorL. J. Williams, L. J. Williams Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA 18104, USASearch for more papers by this authorM. De Meyer, M. De Meyer Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorC. Peeters, C. Peeters Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorD. Depraetere, D. Depraetere Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorB. Vanthuyne, B. Vanthuyne Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorH. Willems, H. Willems Subfaculteit Taal- en Regiostudies, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Blijde Inkomststraat 21, 3000 Leuven, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this author First published: 15 July 2010 https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.1061Citations: 5Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract The use of surgical techniques in ancient Egyptian medicine has only been suggested indirectly through ancient medical texts and iconography, and there is no evidence of amputation as a means of therapeutic medical treatment. This paper presents four cases of amputation from the archaeological site of Dayr al-Barshā, Egypt. Two of the cases (dated to the First Intermediate and Middle Kingdom periods, respectively) are from individuals that display bilateral amputations of the feet, one through the metatarso-phalangeal joints, the other a transmetatarsal amputation. The exact reason for the amputation, perhaps from trauma or disease, is unknown. The particular healing patterns of the distal ends of the amputations suggest these individuals used foot binding or prosthetic devices. Another case represents a healed amputation of the left ulna near the elbow, dated to the Old Kingdom. The final case represents a perimortem amputation of the distal end of the right humerus. The exact date of this individual is unknown, but most likely pertains to the Old Kingdom or First Intermediate period. This individual seems to have suffered a traumatic incident shortly before death, sustaining many fractures, including a butterfly fracture on the right humerus. Several cut marks were identified on top of the butterfly fracture, indicating amputation of the arm at this point. All four cases support the hypothesis that the ancient Egyptians did use amputation as a therapeutic medical treatment for particular diseases or trauma. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. References Aldred C. 1964. A possible case of amputation. Man 245: 56–64. Google Scholar Boldsen JL. 2001. An epidemiological approach to the paleopathological diagnosis of leprosy. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 115: 380–387. 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