Discovery of First Bandaged Mummy Offers Glimpse into Ancient Medicine

Scientists have found the first recorded bandaged wound on a mummified body from Egypt, giving us a glimpse of how medicine was practiced in ancient times.

The finding was published in the International Journal of Paleopathology on December 30th, where the researchers said they discovered the bandages on the remains of a young girl around  four years old, who died about 2,000 years ago. 

The mummy was thought to be taken from the Tomb of Aline in Fayoum. The study said that the bandage dressing wrapped a wound that was likely infected when she died, as the scans showed signs of pus.

Ancient Egyptians believed that mummified bodies should be as perfect as possible for life after death, and so wound dressings typically did not survive the mummification process. In this case, however, it is possible the embalmers added the bandage on the body after the girl's death.