Ancient Egyptian scribes’ work left its mark on their skeletons

Ancient Egyptian scribes’ life works are written on their bones.

Arthritis and other damage mark the scribes’ skeletons where the men sat cross-legged or kneeled hunched over papyrus scrolls, researchers describe June 27 in Scientific Reports.

Museum and university researchers from the Czech Republic examined the remains of 69 men entombed in the necropolis at Abusir, Egypt, dating from 2700 B.C. to 2180 B.C. Titles, paintings, tools and statues found in the tombs denoted 30 of the skeletons as scribes, high-ranking people who worked in various administrative positions and were engaged in writing and reading.

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