Scientists discovered the oldest teratoma in a woman from an ancient Egyptian tomb. PHOTO
[ad_1]
Archaeologists have unearthed the earliest documented example of a teratoma (“tumor with teeth”) in a burial chamber in an ancient Egyptian cemetery dating back to the 14th century BC.
Scientists discovered a tumor in a young woman who was buried in Egypt 3,000 years ago, reports Arkeonews.
A teratoma is a rare type of tumor that usually grows in the ovaries.
A teratoma can be either benign or malignant, consisting of a variety of tissues, including muscle, hair, teeth, and bone.
| Teratoma is a rare type of tumor mainly in the ovaries, which can contain hair, teeth, bones |
A resident of Ancient Egypt, who had such a tumor in her ovary, died more than 3,000 years ago at the age of 18 to 21.
Her remains were found by researchers Anna Stevens from the University of Cambridge and Gretchen Dabbs from Southern Illinois University, who have been leading the Amarna Cemeteries Research Project since 2005.
A study describing the find was published in the International Journal of Paleopathology.
Scientists write that the woman’s skeleton was wrapped in a cloth made of plant fibers and buried together with various ritual attributes.
Read also: Remains of an unknown whale 41 million years old were discovered in Egypt
 |
| Photo: M. Wetzel/Amarna Project |
On the woman’s hand was a ring decorated with a figure of Besa, the deity of fertility and protection.
“The presence of a gold ring decorated by the god Bes on the woman’s left hand may indicate that the teratoma was not asymptomatic.
And the woman tried to call on Bes to protect her from pain or other symptoms, or to help her in trying to conceive and give birth to a child.”says the study.
The woman probably died of an infection related to the tumor.
Previously, archaeologists found only four archaeological examples of teratoma, three of which are in Europe and one in Peru.
The latest teratoma, discovered in a New Kingdom cemetery in Amarna, is the fifth archaeological case known to scientists.
It will be recalled that last year scientists reported that they discovered a rare type of cancer in a “pregnant mummy” from Ancient Egypt.
Also earlier in Egypt, archaeologists discovered the ancient tomb of the scribe of the pharaohs.
And they found the temple of Aphrodite under the water.
Read also: Women’s charms: scientists deciphered the tattoos on the mummies of Ancient Egypt. PHOTO
[ad_2]
Original Source Link
