A Possible Stroke Victim from Pharaonic Egypt.

Area of Science:

• Paleopathology
• Neurology
• Egyptology

Background:

• Ancient Egyptian mummification practices offer insights into past health conditions.
• The 25th Dynasty mummy provides a unique opportunity to study neurological conditions in antiquity.

Observation:

• A 25th Dynasty mummy (c. 747-656 B.C.) exhibited unique positioning and mobility aids (crutch, sticks).
• Macroscopic and radiological examination revealed signs consistent with long-term hemiplegia.

Findings:

• The mummy, an adult female aged 25-40, suffered a stroke after skeletal maturity, leading to left hemiplegia.
• This represents the oldest published case of hemiplegia, offering evidence of stroke consequences in ancient populations.

Implications:

• This finding expands our understanding of neurological disease prevalence in ancient Egypt.
• The study highlights the long-term impact of stroke and potential adaptive strategies in ancient populations.
• It underscores the value of paleopathological studies in reconstructing ancient medical histories.