ANCIENT Egyptians attempted brain surgery to remove cancer, experts said.
They discovered cut marks – believed to be from metal tools – on the inside of the skulls with signs of tumors from more than 4,000 years ago.
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Their findings come from examining the skulls of a man in his 30s from 2500 BC and a woman in her 50s from 500 BC.
Although both had damaged bones – showing they were likely suffering from brain cancer – they also had tool marks.
The researchers said they were proof that healers were trying to operate on brain tumors.
Professor Edgard Camaros, from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, said: “This is unique evidence of how ancient Egyptian medicine would have attempted to deal with or exploit cancer.
“It’s an extraordinary new perspective for understanding the history of medicine.”
The Egyptians were known to be good with metal and used copper, iron and gold to make decorations.
They also experimented with medicine by repairing tooth decay with metal fillings, setting broken bones with splints, and using honey and plants to cure illnesses.
The findings suggest that the ancient Egyptians understood cancer but were unable to treat it.
It is believed that cancer was rarer in ancient Egypt compared to today as people did not live as long.
Researcher Tatiana Tondini added: “Although the ancient Egyptians were able to deal with complex fractures, cancer was still a frontier of medical knowledge.”
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