Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Egyptian Mummies, Drugs and Cancer

Egyptian Mummies, Drugs and Cancer

One of Egypt’s most prolific rulers was Ramses II, also known as “Ramses the Great”, who reigned for 67 years during the 19th dynasty of the 12th century BC. He lived to be over 90 years old.

His glories surpassed all other Pharaohs, and Egypt reached an overwhelming state of prosperity during his reign. Not only is he known as one of Egypt’s greatest warriors, but also as a peace-maker. He was the first king in history to sign a peace treaty with his enemies, the Hittites, ending long years of wars and hostility.(1)

When the mummified remains of the Pharaoh were brought to Paris in 1976, a team of scientists went to the Museum of Mankind to study the corpse.

Initial analysis had revealed Ramses was suffering from severe dental problems and was plagued by arthritis and hardening of the arteries. But one scientist, Dr Michele Lescott, discovered what looked like specks of tobacco clinging to the fibers of the Royal burial wrapping (linen). However, many scientists dismissed this find to be “contamination from modern sources” because tobacco, it was said, would not even arrive in Egypt for another 2700 years.(2)

Dr Svelta Balabanova, a forensic toxicologist, was called in to investigate. She obtained samples of intestinal tissue from deep inside the body and declared that she had discovered the presence of cannabis, coca and tobacco, laid down in the body cells like rings on a tree.(3)

In Munich a decade later, seven ancient Egyptian mummies were flown from the Cairo Museum and samples sent to a list of qualified investigators. Again Dr Balabanova was called in and conducted a series of gas chromatography tests that revealed the presence of nicotine and cocaine in all seven mummies.

Rosalie David, curator of Egyptology at the Manchester Museum, examined the mummies and Dr Balabanova’s analysis. David explained;

drugs in prehistory

“The ancient Egyptians certainly used drugs. As well as lotus (eating blue lotus can act as a mild sedative), they had mandrake (which contains hallucinogenic tropane alkaloids), and cannabis. There is a strong suggestion that they also used opium (which contains up to 12% morphine).”

Meanwhile, Dr Balabanova continued her work analyzing tissue from ancient humans from around the world. She examined hundreds of subjects, prepared over 3000 samples for drug analysis, and found evidence of “divine plants” residuals in a vast majority of the bodies. (4)

Cancer Rare in Ancient Times

Another team of scientists has recently been conducting studies on mummies that has revealed conclusions of a very different nature. It suggests cancer is a man-made disease caused by modern day environmental factors. read more at Heroin and Cornflakes blog...

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