Klingan Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Obese, plagued with decayed teeth and perhaps a skin disease, Queen Hatshepsut might have spent her last days in pain, according to a preliminary examination of the 3,000-year-old mummy thought to be that of Egypt's greatest female pharaoh. Bald in front but with long hair in back, the mummy shows an overweight woman just over 5 feet tall, who died at about 50. Read more here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docoflove1974 Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 This whole discussion amazes me. Not only the fact that they can compare the DNA to ensure they really have Hatshepsut, but that they can talk about her health in general. All regarding a person who hasn't lived for 3500 years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pertinax Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 The contemporary assumptions are puzzling, "breaking the male mould " is the modern feminist deconstruction . One could argue that as she assumed the beard and symbols of power she was a savvy political operator from a caste which assumed divine right to rule , not a very late industrial feminist concept. Fat? Then I suggest she may have been viewed as awesomely wealthy and powerful, because precious few others would have even "love handles" to boast of.Bad teeth..for a population with an average lifespan of around 36 (if I recall my morbidity profile) being alive at 50 is impressive. However the "medical" evidence seems to support some good new ideas for the tourist trade, say "Dworkin Hatshepshut themed Nile Cruises for those casting off the shackles of Male oppression in a warm and scenic environment" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Augusta Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 This whole discussion amazes me. Not only the fact that they can compare the DNA to ensure they really have Hatshepsut, but that they can talk about her health in general. All regarding a person who hasn't lived for 3500 years! It is amazing, Doc - but I remember when I worked (25 years ago!) at a local hospital of ours that was attached to Manchester University and we actually x-rayed mummies for Dr. Rosalie David, a famous Egyptologist of the time. I worked in the Neuroradiology Department and we often scanned the old wrapped beauties and carried out several medical tests on them. No doubt techniques have improved a thousand fold since then, but we could tell such simple things as joint degeneration or nutritional health from evidence of bone composition and teeth. I found it fascinating, even though anything at all to do with the ancient Egyptians terrifies me (it's just a little idiosyncracy of mine). Hehe - I have fond memories of opening a filing cabinet on a Monday morning, wondering what on earth I would find. It was often a box, bearing the words 'Mummified Cat' plus a very long serial number in black felt-tip pen! Or 'Skull of mummified female from the nth dynasty' - those really terrified me! I actually typed x-ray reports on them too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecimusCaesar Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 That's Fascinating Augusta! Many people, including the famous Egyptologist Kent Weeks, dream of being able to come face to face with mummies. I missed a chance to see the mummies at the Britsh museum, but I hope to go back there in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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