A 3,000-year-old ancient Egyptian burial site has yielded a rare find: a tumor with teeth. The tumor, known as a teratoma, was discovered in the pelvis of an ancient Egyptian woman. This type of tumor is extremely rare in archaeology. The woman was also found buried with a ring that may have been believed to have magical powers to protect against pain.
The discovery was made in the North Desert Cemetery of Amarna, Egypt. It could provide insight into how ancient Egyptians dealt with diseases. Gretchen R. Dabbs, a professor of bioarchaeology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, stated that the finding could shed light on the medical practices of ancient Egyptians.
The remains belonged to a woman who died between the ages of 18 and 21. The cause of her death is unknown, but it is possible that she experienced pain from the teratoma in her ovaries. Teratomas are rare tumors that can contain various types of cells, including those that can develop into hair, teeth, bones, or muscles.
While most teratomas are benign and go unnoticed, they can sometimes cause pain and fertility issues. In the case of the ancient Egyptian woman, she was buried with rings on her left hand, placed above the tumor. One of the rings carried the symbols of Bes, a deity associated with childbirth, fertility, and protection. This suggests that the ring may have been used to seek assistance from Bes in dealing with the teratoma.
The discovery of the teratoma provides a rare glimpse into ancient medical treatments. Most tumors made of soft tissue tend to disappear over time unless the body is well-preserved. However, teratomas with their distinctive bones and teeth can be easily identified even after thousands of years. This is only the fifth case of a mature ovarian teratoma found on an archaeological site, and the first ancient case found in Africa.
The finding is significant because it offers insights into the medical practices of non-elite individuals in ancient Egypt. While written literature provides information on how the elite dealt with diseases, the burial of this woman in a modest cemetery suggests that she was not among the wealthiest members of society. Further examination of the remains may reveal the cause of her death and potentially her identity.
Overall, this discovery adds another piece to the puzzle of understanding how ancient Egyptians lived, coped with medical conditions and trauma, and treated injuries. It provides valuable information about the lived experiences of ordinary people in ancient Egypt.
