A nickel-sized ovarian tumor with teeth was found in the burial remains of an ancient Egyptian woman who died over 3,000 years ago.
Ovarian Tumor With Teeth: The Oldest Known Teratoma
During the excavations of one particular tomb in Amarna, archaeologists found a skeleton of a woman, who was presumably 18 to 21 years old and who was covered in a mat of plant fiber. The woman was buried with a couple of goods, which included a Bes-decorated ring. Bes is a deity that is typically linked to protection, fertility, and childbirth.
The researchers then observed something odd in the pelvic bone of the woman: a three-by-two centimeter mass. Researchers noticed that teeth which had unique enameled-covered crowns were lodging over it. They then ruled out other possible diagnoses and concluded that the tooth's presence and pelvic location indicated that the mass was actually an ovarian teratoma.
While similar cases were previously spotted in Peru and Europe, this finding serves as the oldest known teratoma sample ever found by archaeologists. Teratoma is a kind of tumor consisting of various tissues like hair, muscle, teeth, or bone. It typically occurs in the testicles or ovaries.
Teratomas could either be malignant or benign. They may lead to swelling and pain. When ruptured, teratomas could also cause infection.
These tumors are so rare that there are no clear figures regarding their incidences. However, women still suffer from these tumors today, as they happen when germs end up turning into various cells. At present, tumor removal is the typical treatment method for teratomas.
There have only been four spotted archaeological examples of teratoma. One was found in Peru while the other three were found across Europe. This recent teratoma discovery is the fifth published archaeological case. Aside from being the oldest known teratoma sample, it is also the first prehistoric case in Africa.
The Bes ring could have hinted at the symptomatic condition. The object could have been placed on the left hand of the woman as it was folded on her lap over the teratoma. This could signify that the woman may have been trying to involve Bes from protecting her against any symptoms or pain or to aid her with conception.
A 3,000-year-old burial chamber has revealed not only the oldest ovarian tumor (containing teeth!), but also ancient #Egyptian beliefs surrounding ways to alleviate its symptoms.https://t.co/Hns3PYHiMB
— Ancient Origins (@ancientorigins) November 7, 2023
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Ancient Egyptian Woman's Burial Remains
The discovery was made during excavations at an ancient Egyptian cemetery. It was specifically made in the New Kingdom cemetery in Amarna in Egypt.
Amarna was an Egyptian city that was short-lived on the Nile River's eastern bank. It serves as the worship center of pharaoh Akhenaten's adoration of the sun deity Aten. It was also home to the pharaoh's royal court. The area houses at least 1,000 pit-grave burials for citizens of Akhetaten city who were not elite.
While the city had palaces, temples, and other structures to host a population of roughly 20,000 to 50,000 people, it was abandoned less than a decade after the pharaoh died in B.C. 1336.
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