Although we can gain some insight into medical practices from human remains and from references to disease in non-medical papyri, the corpus of medical papyri provides us with their understanding of human anatomy, the causes of disease and the remedies prescribed.
Translations are available but continue to be problematic.
This lecture will show just how varied these papyri are in terms of their content. I will then focus on one important papyrus providing one aspect of health practiced by the ancient Egyptians which remains beneficial to our mental and physical wellbeing today.
I retired early from teaching and went back to full time study under Prof Rosalie David at the University of Manchester. I completed an MSc in Forensic and Biomedical Egyptology in 2005. This led on to a PhD assessing the importance of two Third Intermediate prosthetic toes, one in the British Museum, the other in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.
I have spoken at conferences both in the UK and in Egypt, done public engagement with schools, spoken to WI's as well as to Egyptian societies.
I am now collaborating with Prof David and others, handling, cataloguing and analyzing 17 important Egyptian and Late Antiquity textile collections from across the Northwest, my special interest is with the silk.
Our publication is due out December 2026.
We have an exciting and diverse series of lectures
covering a wide range of topics and these are listed below
We are having two evening Zoom on-line meeting in April & Sept
𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 2025 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼 𓇼
January 13th , 2pm
Dr Joanne Backhouse (University of Liverpool)
Nefetari, For whom the sun shines: Queenship in Ramesside Egypt
February 10th, 2pm
Dr Jacky Finch (University of Manchester : Alumni)
‘Are you sitting comfortably?’
Ancient Egyptian medical matters
March 10th, 2pm
Dr Kath Slinger (University of Manchester)
Tomb Families: Private Tomb Distribution in the New Kingdom Theban Necropolis
Wednesday April 2nd Zoom 7pm
Dr Heidi Köpp-Junk
(Polish Academy of Sciences, Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental
Studies)
Water, dewatering systems, wells, baths and waterspouts – latest excavation results
from Athribis and Tuna el Gebel.
May 12th, 2pm
Dr Roger Forshaw (University of Manchester)
The Life and Times of Hesyre, the First Recorded Physician and Dental Surgeon in History
June 9th, 2pm
Colin Reader (Independent Researcher)
Tutankhamun: The Extraterrestrial Connection
July 14th, 2pm
Sarah Shepherd (Independent Researcher)
Tourism and Travel in the Great War
August 11th, 2pm
Dr Judith Corbelli (University of Liverpool: Alumni)
Cremation in Alexandria: Cinerary Urns of the Greco-Roman Period
Monday Sept 1st Zoom 7pm
Dr Peter Lacovara
(Director of the Ancient Egyptian Archaeology and Heritage Fund)
Deir el-Ballas and the Hyksos Expulsion
October 13th, 2pm
Dr Paula Tutty (Independent Researcher)
The Discovery of the Nag Hammadi Codices – Christianity’s Lost Legacy
November 10th , 2pm
Dr Campbell Price (University of Manchester)
Senenmut’s Unconventional Afterlife
December 8th, 2pm
Presidential lecture/AGM/Christmas buffet
Dr Ashley Cooke
BOOK SALES
At each Society meeting held in Mayer Hall a selection of Egyptology books is available for sale at very reasonable prices.