Kristina Killgrove is an archaeologist with specialties in ancient human skeletons and science communication. Her academic research has appeared in numerous scientific journals, while her news stories and essays have been published in venues such as Forbes, Mental Floss and Smithsonian.
While excavating an ancient Egyptian cemetery, archaeologists made a rare discovery: an ovarian tumor nestled in the pelvis of a woman who died more than three millennia ago. The tumor, a bony mass with two teeth, is the oldest known example of a teratoma, a rare type of tumor that typically occurs in ovaries or testicles.
Only four archaeological examples of teratomas had previously been found — three in Europe and one in Peru. The recent discovery of a teratoma in the New Kingdom period cemetery in Amarna, Egypt, both founded around 1345 B.C., is only the fifth archaeological case published, making it the oldest known example of a teratoma and the first ancient case found in Africa.
During excavation, archaeologists noticed something unusual in the woman's pelvis: a bony mass, about the size of a large grape, with two depressions that contained deformed teeth. The Bes ring may hint that the teratoma was symptomatic, as the possible"magico-medical" object was placed on the woman's left hand, which was folded across her lap above the teratoma. This may mean the woman"was attempting to invoke Bes to protect her from pain or other symptoms, or aid in her attempts to conceive and birth a child," they wrote in their study.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gaza evacuations suspended after ambulance attackedGaza evacuations suspended after ambulance attacked - Egyptian sources
Read more »
The rare African mask at the center of a fierce multimillion-dollar legal battleGabon demands rare African mask back as French couple sues art dealer over 4.2 million euro sale
Read more »
Who has the upper hand in a rare GOP congressional ‘clash of the titans’ in Alabama?The Republican primary for a newly drawn South Alabama congressional seat will pit two incumbents against one another. It's rare scenario unseen in Alabama since 1962.
Read more »
Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Indians who need $2.1m drug to fight a rare diseaseMost people with rare genetic diseases are unable to access life-saving medicines due to high costs.
Read more »
Biologists keep eye on rare Mexican wolf wandering out of boundsThe Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City.
Read more »
Why tonight’s meteor shower offers a rare opportunity to see a fireballAround the peak — expected at 8:47 p.m. ET Sunday — is when people will have the best chance to catch a glimpse.
Read more »