Miller, Christine. "Examining Skeletal Remains from Ancient Egypt." Forensic Magazine. N.p., 1 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
Examining Skeletal Remains from Ancient Egypt
After remains are observed and evaluated, it is possible to tell about the individual’s health and quality of life. There is a project in Egypt called the Day Al-Barsha project, which studies mummies and artifacts that span the entire area of the pharaohs into early Christian history. So far, two bodies were discovered. These two recovered bodies showed signs of amputation through the metatarsal area, an area in the foot. It was said that, “these amputations were non-traumatic in nature, suggesting that a systemic illness brought about the autoamputation.” Experts say that diabetes might be a viable reason to what could have contributed to the loss of their toes. We know that these these conditions were present in Egypt at the time because it was documented through medical papyrus. Diabetes may may been present because the diet of Egyptians contained a lot of honey. There was another mummy recovered from Sheik Abd el-Qurna on the west bank of the Nile. This mummy shows evidence of a “big toe amputation fitted with a wooden prosthetic device.” Autoamputation of toes is a result of uncontrolled diabetes leading to ischemic vascular disease. The lack of blood flow gives way to dry gangrene and putrefaction.
Evaluating bones of the past of certain ancient civilizations allows us to have a glimpse of the past. We are able to see the medical conditions of the past civilizations and we realize how improved the field of medicine is today. However, despite all of the advances in science and technology, humans still face difficulties with certain diseases, such as diabetes.
This article was overall really interesting to read and write about. Identifying and examining skeletal remains is something that interests me in the forensic field. This article, in general, was nicely and clearly written, which made it easy to understand.
4 comments:
Miller, Christine. "Examining Skeletal Remains from Ancient Egypt." Forensic Magazine. N.p., 1 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2016/03/examining-skeletal-remains-ancient-egypt
I read the review of and the article “Examining Skeletal Remains from Ancient Egypt,” and enjoyed it. I also liked many things about this review. First, I liked how the author clearly mentioned and talked about a specific project completed in Egypt called the Day Al-Barsha Project, and explained how it relates to this topic, and it studied mummies and artifacts that span the entire area of the pharaohs into early Christian history. This connection and description adds onto the topic of this review and makes the purpose clearer and provides a great example. Also, I liked how Olen provides a quote from one investigator, which is, “these amputations were non-traumatic in nature, suggesting that a systemic illness brought about the autoamputation.” This shows how the recovered bodies showed signs of amputation through the metatarsal area, and this quote provides evidence and information from the investigation and makes the reader understand the investigation more. Lastly, I liked the author of the review talked about the importance of evaluating bones of the past and how it tells us about present medical conditions and fields in medicine today. Overall, this article had many strong aspects.
Even though this review of the article was well written and provided good information concerning the article, it also had its weaknesses. First, I did not like how the author of this review did not relate this to previous investigations taken place in Egypt, this would have provided a better comparison between this investigation and others and would have put a better emphasis on its importance. Also, I did not like how Olena did not really talk about this investigation thoroughly, I am still confused about the basis of this investigation and the overall purpose. However, I overall enjoyed this article, despite these weaknesses.
I learned many things from reading this article and review. First, I learned how information about fossils and bones in the past can tell us more about the present- we are able to see the medical conditions of the past civilizations and we realize how improved the medical field is today. Also, I learned that no matter how advanced our technology is today, there will always be difficulties concerning disease that can never be concluded. This has changed my perception on forensic science and society because it made me realize and think about the impact of past societies and discoveries on the present. Overall, I enjoyed this article and review and look forward to learning more about this topic in the future.
Helen always finds amazing articles to review. I am extremely interested in ancient Egypt so I was naturally attracted to her article. Helen gave a thorough explanation of her findings leaving me with little to no questions afterwards. She mentioned that the Egyptians had diabetes because of the abundance of honey in their diets. I wondered how they got so much sugar into their bodies when I do not believe that 3500 year ago there were many sugar plantations in ancient Egypt. I imagine that honey was a delicacy in ancient times so I wonder how they acquired it or could afford it. Helen also explained specifically how the symptoms and uncontrolled diseases led to amputations. After all, there was no insulin pumps back then either. I like the way she brought the dread of diabetes full circle by mentioning that its prevalence in ancient Egypt foreshadowed our conditions today, especially in this country.
I was a bit confused because first, Helen mentioned that there were two bodies found so far but then she said that there was another body found. Were there three mummies discovered overall? Also, I wish Helen talked more about King Tut. The article mentioned that he had skeletal deformities such as a club foot, and he also had bone necrosis. Did you also know that he became king at age 9 (that is fourth grade!) and he ruled for 10 years until his death?
Miller, Christine. "Examining Skeletal Remains from Ancient Egypt." Forensic Magazine. N.p., 1 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2016/03/examining-skeletal-remains-ancient-egypt
Emme Kerj
Current event 16 comment
Helen, I think that you did a good job summarizing the main discoveries behind the article. I also think that you provided explanations from the article regarding the finds, for example why the mummies might have had diabetes. I also think that you did a good job writing about how important it is to study ancient remains since it can tell us a lot about the health of past generations etc etc. I found it interesting to read your review since you wrote about the main events in an intriguing way.
I definitely think that you could have broadened your analysis a bit more and discuss how analyzing these bodies might also tell us a lot about OUR health and why some diseases may occur. I also think that you could have gone more in depth about the article, overall. I think it is also important to highlight what this means for the different scientific communities, whether that be forensic, biological or medical etc.
I was really surprised to learn that you can tell so much from ancient remains and I find it extremely fascinating that it can tell us a lot about old civilizations. I also think that it is great that there is a lot to learn for the medical community regarding diseases, possible causes and such. It really amazes me how much we know about civilizations that are thousands of years long gone from old scripts and really just the remains of its inhabitants.
Works cited:
Miller, Christine. "Examining Skeletal Remains from Ancient Egypt." Forensic Magazine. N.p., 1 Mar. 2016. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2016/03/examining-skeletal-remains-ancient-egypt
I read Olena’s review of Examining Skeletal Remains from Ancient Egypt. Olena did a great job of presenting her article with thorough detail as well as maintaining the correct format necessary in a review. I enjoyed how Olena opened up her review because it was quick and to the point. Olena also did a good job in providing detail, like when she described what an amputated toe was a result of.
If I were to suggest some things to Olena it would first be to cite who her quote she got was from; it was such a great quote that I would have loved to know a little more significance of it by knowing the author. Also, I would have liked to have read more of Olena’s opinion in the last paragraph, since it is a review.
This review was very interesting, particularly, because it had to do with identifying skeletal remains, which we have been studying in our forensic class.
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