In 1971, a sealed ancient Egyptian coffin was brought to the Rosicrucian Museum in California, inside of which lay a well-preserved mummy, which was once the body of a very notable Egyptian.So more than two decades ago a group of scientists made a shocking discovery: almost 2 600 years ago, a surgical operation was performed that was incredibly high for those times of complexity. In the left knee of the mummy, an orthopedic pin 23 cm long made of metal was found. It was implanted due to such complex biomechanical principles, which are not inferior even to the most modern technologies.
Yuzermontu - mummy of unknown origin
When in the 70s the workers of the Rosicrucian Museum received a sealed ancient Egyptian coffin, they did not know that the mummy was still lying inside. In addition, studies have shown that originally the sarcophagus belonged to another mummy called Uzermont (the "power of Monte") - and then, many years after his death, another mummy was placed in the coffin of Yusermont. Nevertheless, a new mummy of unknown origin became known under the name of the original owner of the sarcophagus. Analysis of the embalming procedure showed that "Yusermont" was a man from the top of the ancient Egyptian society and lived during the New Kingdom (between the 16th and 11th centuries BC). The length of the mummified body is 1.5 m, traces of red hair are present
Shocking discovery
In August 1995, Professor Wilfred Griggs of Brigham Young University in Utah, along with a group of experts, enlightened the X-ray with six mummies (including the muse of Yusermont) from the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose. This was done before he gave a lecture there. Specialists were amazed when the X-ray showed that a metal pin 23 cm long was inserted into one of the mummies on the left knee.
Antiquity or modernity?
According to representatives of the University of Brigham Young, it is impossible to know whether the metal pin belonged to antiquity, using only x-rays. Therefore, Professor Griggs suggested that the pin could be implanted in much closer times to re-attach the leg to the rest of the body.
"Then I suggested that the pin was not made in ancient times and thought that we could find out how the pin was implanted in the leg, and maybe even find out how long this operation was done," Grigg said in a report , published by the University of Brigham Young - I just thought that this interesting remark: "Someone took the ancient mummy and put in her foot a modern pin so that it does not fall apart."
Uncover the mystery
To find out the origin of the pin, Griggs, Dr. Richard T. Jackson, an orthopedic surgeon from Provo and Dr. E. Bruce McLiff, head of the radiology department at the Utah Regional Medical Center, gently drilled a hole for the tiny chamber into the bone to examine the pin and take bone samples and metal.
A group of scientists discovered traces of ancient organic rubber, similar to modern bone glue, as well as traces of ancient fats and fibers of fabrics, which (thanks to this rubber) were still firmly fixed in place. Additional studies have shown that a high-level medical procedure was performed in ancient times, some 2,600 years ago.Orthopedic procedure of high class
A group of researchers was impressed that the pin was designed according to the same principles that are used in the modern world to fix bones.
"We admire the fact that in ancient Egypt we managed to create a pin according to the biomechanical principles that we still use today, such as with rigid bone fixation," says Dr. Richard Jackson, "it exceeded all our expectations."
Representatives of the University of Brigham Young report that the pin "sharp hook-shaped end for better implantation in the femur - exactly the same biomechanical methods are used today. The other end of the pin, located in the tibia, has three "denticles" that prevent the position of the pin from shifting to the bone. "
Before or after death?
Everyone was tormented by one question related to this noteworthy discovery: the operation was carried out when Yusermont was alive, or after his death.
A full study revealed that the plate was inserted between the death of Uzermont and his funeral. The ancient Egyptians believed in physical resurrection after death, in which the body was the vehicle of the soul in the afterlife. Thus, the insurance of the integrity of the body was of the greatest importance. Griggs also added that the Egyptians believed that for the resurrection of the body and spirit, it was important to make sure that the body was in good condition.
While this is the first case of surgery with a metal plate, there are other examples of caring for the body before mummification: healing the wounds, working on the teeth, creating prostheses.