A team of archaeologists in Egypt has found a 4,000-year-old tomb that may have belonged to a doctor who was also an expert in poison and magic. The ruins were found at Sakhara, an archaeological site that served as a necropolis for the ancient city of Memphis in Egypt.

Although there was evidence of possible looting at the tomb, the walls of the site remained intact and were well decorated, revealing significant details of the person mummified and buried there. Archaeologists also found a stone sarcophagus with the doctor’s name and titles inscribed on it..

Who was the buried doctor?

The discoveries were made by a French-Swiss archaeological team working together. According to the statement confirmed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, researchers say that they have unearthed the tomb of the royal physician named Teti Neb Fu, who lived in the Old Kingdom.

Among the titles held by the “Doctor” are the title of Chief Physician of the Palace, Priest and Magician of the Goddess Sélquis, Chief of Dentists, and Director of Medicinal Herbs. King Henry II, leader of the sixth dynasty of ancient Egypt, which occurred between approximately 2305 BC and 2118 BC. He served the country during Pepi’s reign.

The tomb found belonged to the royal physician Teti Neb Fu. (Source: Egypt Today / Reproduction)

The finds were highlighted by spokesmen of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. “The tomb is adorned with stunning sculptures and vibrant artwork, including a beautifully painted false door and funerary offering scenes,” ministry staff said in a Facebook post.

Egyptologist Philippe Collombert, who led the archaeological team, explained that the walls of the tomb were decorated with remarkable reliefs and inscriptions. One of the standout elements is the red-painted ceiling, which attempts to resemble blocks of granite, a material commonly found in imposing buildings. In the middle of the ceiling are the doctor’s titles and name.

New information about Ancient Egypt

King II Excavations in the Sakara region started in 2022 to reveal the graves of Pepi’s public officials. Among the graves of various authorities and their wives, the tomb of doctor Teti Neb Fu attracted attention.

For starters, the tomb is a “mastaba”; It is a term that describes a rectangular building type with a flat roof. usually made of limestone or adobe and used to bury pharaohs or important nobles.

(Source: Arkeonews / Reproduction)
Teti Neb Fu’s tomb may shed new light on the culture of the ancient Egyptians. (Source: Arkeonews / Reproduction)

But another interesting fact is that Teti Neb Fu, in addition to being the state doctor, was also considered a priest and “sorcerer” dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Selkis, who in mythology protected people suffering from poisonous bites. stings.

According to researchers, This is an indication that Teti Neb Fu was an expert in treating injuries possibly caused by scorpions or poisonous snakes, which gave him a “magical” reputation as a healer..

Mohammed Ismail Khalid, who serves as Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the importance of this discovery, as it will reveal new aspects of daily life during the Ancient State period. This would also confirm this population’s respect for both medicine and magic.

In fact, magical practices were very popular in Ancient Egypt. “Egypt was the mother of magicians,” according to a Brooklyn Museum publication. There is also evidence for this finding in the Hebrew Bible; for example, when the Pharaoh is aided by magicians who compete with Moses and Aaron in magical feats such as transforming staffs into snakes. Egyptians also believed that words (written, spoken, or used in rituals) had the power to influence the world..

The cult of Sélquis and its relationship to medicine and magic

The goddess Sélquis was the scorpion goddess of Ancient Egypt who protected human victims from poison and bites, and also had the role of caring for the reigning pharaoh. For this reason, she is often depicted as a woman carrying one or two scorpions adorning her crown.

The goddess was also important in funerary rituals and was represented by a golden statue guarding the chest of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Sélquis would protect those in his arms by extending his arms in grave environments. It was still displayed in full zoomorphic form as a snake, lioness or scorpion.

(Source: GettyImages / Reproduction)
The goddess Sélquis is often represented as a scorpion on her head. (Source: Getty Images / Reproduction)

An interesting fact is that there were two types of scorpions in Egypt: one is darker and relatively harmless, the other is lighter and much more poisonous. According to mythology, the goddess Sélquis took the form of one of these animals.

But this animal, despite its dangerousness, manifested itself as a protective and healing deity, protecting people from the bites of these arthropods.

In Egyptian, its name was Serket-Heru, meaning “one who makes the throat breathe” or “one who makes breathing easier in the throat.” reference to the fact that a scorpion sting can lead to suffocation. Sélquis also provided assistance so that a newborn or deceased person could breathe while being reborn. For this reason, she is also referred to as the “mother of the dead” in funeral texts, as she nursed him and gave him the breath of life.

It is worth remembering that for the ancient Egyptians, medicine and magic were probably viewed as having some sort of relationship in which they were both revered and revered. As we know, the Egyptians had advanced knowledge of anatomy and even knew how to perform surgery. They also knew how to treat many diseases, including dental, gynecological, gastrointestinal and urinary tract disorders. There is even a study from 2024 showing the existence of an Egyptian skull bearing traces of attempts to cure cancer.

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Source: Tec Mundo

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I'm Blaine Morgan, an experienced journalist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the tech industry. My expertise lies in writing about technology news and trends, covering everything from cutting-edge gadgets to emerging software developments. I've written for several leading publications including Gadget Onus where I am an author.

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