The study of dental disease in antiquity can provide information about an individual's way of life including their diet, dental care and environment. The focus of this thesis is the examination of dental disease from the Middle Kingdom period (2055-1.650 BCE) necropolis site of Zone 9A in Dayr al-Barsha, Egypt. These data are compared to published data from other ancient Egyptian sites. The results provide information on the causes of dental disease, the characteristics of the individuals affected, such as age, sex and status, and what it reveals about their lives. All social classes from Dayr al-Barsha appear to have been affected by dental disease and there are similar rates of affliction between males and females, which increase with age. The changes in frequencies of dental pathologies through time provide information on diet and dental care in ancient Egypt. The comparisons of the individuals from Dayr al-Barsha with remains from other sites throughout Egyp~ reveal that sand and other harsh debris found in food combined with poor dental hygiene caused wear, periodontal disease, dental caries, and abscesses. Abrasion of the dentition, which allowed the pulp to become infected, seems to have been a major cause of dental disease in Dayr al-Barsha and in many other sites in Egypt. In mostly later time periods, high levels of sugar in the diet may have also contributed to dental caries.

For centuries, people have been fascinated with how the ancient Egyptians lived, and particularly how they died. Although Egyptologists in the past had a greater interest in the treasures that accompanied the dead, there has now been a shift in focus on the actual ancient Egyptians themselves and their ways of life. Recognizing the health and disease status of ancient Egyptians has become particularly important. The aim of this research project is to document the paleopathology of the individuals from the sites of Dayr al-Barsha and Sheikh Said encompassing the Old Kingdom (2686 - 2160 BC), the First Intermediate Period (2160 - 2055 BC), and the Middle Kingdom (2055-1650 BC) periods. The site of Dayr al-Barsha was most importantly the necropolis, or burial site, used by the inhabitants of the ancient city of Hermopolis Magna, and it was also a very prominent quarry site. Today, Dayr al-Barsha is a large scale archaeological site that has been divided into eleven zones. The results of this research reveal a documented list of paleopathologies that include traumatic conditions, congenital anomalies, joint diseases, infectious diseases, hematological disorders, dental pathology, neoplastic conditions, and various other conditions that ailed the people in their daily lives. Fractures and dental diseases are the paleopathologies that occurred most frequently. These pathologies provide important knowledge about the living conditions and occupations during the span of the Old Kingdom through the Middle Kingdom.