Being Well in Ancient Egypt

Health and healing play a fundamental role in safeguarding not only the individual, but also the wider social and economic functions of society. This was as true in Ancient Egypt as it is today, with the same dependence on accessible treatments, available remedies, and medical professionals. This volume explores the presence of health and medicine in Egyptian society from multiple perspectives: the importance of human remains for understanding social dynamics; the diffusion of healing instruments and knowledge within social, urban, and environmental contexts; the social position of the various actors involved in the healing process; and the connections between medical practice and other areas of Egyptian written and material culture. Together, these perspectives offer new insights into the value of social medicine as a research tool for better understanding ancient Egyptian society.