Author:

Keywords:

Dayr al-Barsha, rock circle cemetery, Early Old Kingdom, cancer, breast cancer, metastatic carcinoma, Kellis 2 cemetery, Dakhla oasis

Abstract:

Although considered a disease of modern industrial societies, skeletal and soft tissue evidence of secondary malignant cancers is becoming more evident in the ancient world. Here we examine the evidence of cancer as a disease of antiquity in ancient Egypt, particularly focusing on evidence from Deir al-Bersha and the Dakhleh Oasis. We present two cases of advanced metastatic carcinoma, both most likely representative of breast cancer that metastasized throughout the skeleton. The first case, from the site of Deir al-Bersha, dates to the 2nd to 4th Dynasty (ca. 2686-2494 BC) and may well represent the earliest skeletal evidence for this disease. This individual, an adult female approximately 45 years of age at death, displays multiple characteristic metastatic lesions throughout her skeleton. The second case, from the Kellis 2 cemetery in Dakhleh Oasis dating to the Romano-Christian period (c. 100 to 360 AD), is also an adult female approximately 40 years of age at death and displays similar characteristic metastatic lesions, however, in limited distribution. Given the advanced stage of cancer represented in both cases, we also explore possible medical and pain management strategies used in ancient Egypt.