The utilisation of minerals in Ancient Egyptian medicine from procurement
through to use is examined here in a case study investigating the role of sodium
salts. The sodium salts, salt and natron are two of the three most commonly
used minerals in the Egyptian pharmacopeia. The results of the project are
important to medical historians and archaeomineralogists alike in that they
formulate a systematic understanding of the way in which minerals were used in
medical and medically associated industries.
Key sources of salt and natron were examined and the Wadi Natrun was
identified as the probable main site of natrun exploitation. A comprehensive
study conducted of this area involved examining sources of a historical
geographical nature and analysis of mineralogical samples gathered from
fieldwork in the Wadi Natrun.
From the source of exploitation, natron and salt were sold to the Egyptians to be
used in a number of everyday industries as well as for their use in medical and
medically associated industries. Salt and natron were found to be used for their
astringent and cleansing qualities, and are still being used in traditional medical
formulations. Prescription replication showed that these substances worked
effectively. Additional research into medically associated industries showed
commonality between sodium salts use between all three industries
investigated.
The results of this research shows that a comprehensive study of the use of
minerals in medicine could be established. Primary sites of exploitation of both
salt and natron were identified, and minerals from theses sites were categorised
and identified. The results showed that the chemical nature of these deposits
had changed in the last 2000 years. The results also demonstrate reasons why the language surrounding the term natron needed to be revised. These results
have implications for both archaeology and the history of medicine.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:CRANFIELD1/oai:dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk:1826/4009 |
| Date | 24 November 2009 |
| Creators | Sapsford, M |
| Contributors | Shortland, A J |
| Publisher | Department of Applied Science, Security and Resilience |
| Source Sets | CRANFIELD1 |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or dissertation, Doctoral, PhD |
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