Page 546 - Atlas of Creation Volume 2

Ancient Egypt: A Magnificent Civilization in Terms of Art and

Science

In one of the most magnificent civilizations in terms of art and science founded by humankind, the

Ancient Egyptians possessed more knowledge and experience than could have been possible, had they been
the "heirs" or continuation of some primitive society. Among the Egyptians, members of a deviant, pagan re-
ligion, there were Jewish workmen with a knowledge of art, which had its origins in the times of Prophets
Noah and Abraham (peace be upon them). These skilled people used the knowledge they had learned from

the days of the past prophets.
The achievements of the Egyptians have still not been duplicated in many parts of the world today. In
various parts of Asia, South America, or Africa, including Egypt itself, a life way beyond the level of the past
civilization is still led. The civilization of Ancient Egypt, which registered such great successes especially in

medicine, anatomy, urban planning, architecture, fine arts and textiles, is today studied by scientists with
great awe and amazement.

The Origins of Ancient Egyptian Medicine

The sophistication achieved by physicians in Ancient Egypt is quite amazing. Findings obtained from
excavations have amazed archaeologists, because no historian expected such a highly developed technology
in a civilization that existed in the 3,000s BCE.
43
X-ray analysis of mummies has revealed that brain surgery was performed in Ancient Egypt. What is
more, these operations were carried out using highly professional techniques. When mummy skulls that un-

derwent surgery are examined, it can be seen that the incisions of the surgery have been cut very neatly.
Skull bones that have fused back together prove that the patients survived long after such operations. 44
Another example concerns various medicines. Giant strides were made in medicine in the 19th century

due to the rapid progress made in experimental science, including the discovery of antibiotics. Yet the word
"discovery" is not strictly accurate, because many of these techniques had already been known to the Ancient
Egyptians. 45
Some of the most important evidence of just how advanced the Egyptians were in science and anatomy
lies in the mummies they left behind them. They used hundreds of different techniques in the process of

mummification, which permits the bodies of living things to be preserved for thousands of years.
The mummification process is highly complex. First, the brain and some of the internal organs of the de-
ceased were removed using special instruments. The next stage in the procedure involved dehydrating the

body for 40 days with natron. (Natron is a mineral salt, primarily a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and
sodium carbonate with small amounts of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate.) After the excessive body flu-
ids were reduced, the body cavity was then stuffed with linen, sand or sawdust. The skin was anointed with
special herbal preparations and then coated with liquid resin to further preserve it. Finally the body was
carefully wrapped in linen bandages. 46

Mummification, carried out without damaging the shape of the body and by extracting all the de-
ceased's internal organs, shows that those who performed it possessed a sufficient knowledge of anatomy to
know the position of all the various organs.

Quite apart from the techniques of mummification, the Egyptians of 5,000 years ago enjoyed a wide
range of other medical sophistication. For example:
-The priests involved in medicine in Egypt treated many diseases in their temples. Just as today,
Egyptian doctors specialized in various fields of medicine. Every doctor, provided services in his own spe-
cialty.

-Doctors in Egypt were supervised by the state. If the patient failed to recover or died, the state would in-
vestigate the reasons why and determine whether the method of treatment employed by the doctor con-
formed to the rules. If any oversight was found to have taken place during treatment, the doctor was

penalized within the framework of the law.

544 Atlas of Creation Vol. 2