Mummify Seneb in ten minutes or less: A great tool for educators

The Oriental Institute has created a great online tool to help kids and adults learn about the process of mummification at http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/ED/mummy.html.  I have used this in multiple classes, and students of all ages have found it fun and informative.  The website asks you to help Anubis mummify Seneb, a recently deceased Egyptian man. Spend ten minutes of your day on this mummification guide to learn about mummification and have fun in the process!

You can unroll the world's first medical text right now!

Move over Gray's Anatomy! The National Library of Medicine "Turning the pages" project brings REAL ancient documents to the tips of your fingers, including Egypt's Edwin Smith surgical papyrus. I am currently translating this text, and can tell you that it offers a fascinating insight into the mind of its scribe. The papyrus is constructed of nearly 50 medical texts, with an examination, diagnosis, and treatment when possible for each. What makes this text especially interesting is the fact that its author also includes glosses to help explain the medical terminology (clearly, doctor jargon is an ancient process).  For instance, the texture of the brain is described as being like ripples of molten copper. How romantic.

So take a look below and unroll the papyrus! When you are ready, click the text button to learn about what each case says! If you can't see the papyrus below, click here: http://archive.nlm.nih.gov/proj/ttp/v2/books/#!/edwin_smith_surgical_papyrus/