Absence from Work

The daily roll-call - writing the list of absences - as interpreted in a computer game

British Museum Ostracon EA 5634
(click to see the BM Compass page)

• Document from the year 40 (which means Ramesses II – no other Pharaoh in Deir el-Medina’s existence ruled this long)

Contains List of absences from work by the workmen during 70-day period (the 9^th and 10^th days – which constituted the weekend – are never mentioned)

• Names and days are in black ink, the reasons for absence above in red ink

• Most frequent reason for absence is “illness” but usually not specified (see below – text B - for details). Some illnesses must have been serious though, since one workmen was absent from work for 57 days in row (plus the weekends)

Ostraca with list of absences - the real example from the BM and another ostracon from a computer game

• Article in the Book box: Absence from work by the necropolis workmen of Thebes, by Jac J. Janssen IN: Studien Zur altenägyptischen Kultur SAK 8 (1980-81), pp. 127-152
  

Core texts on Absences and Healthcare

Ostracon Cairo 25785

  (full translation in McDowell 1999: p. 220)

Notes:

1. The famous playboy, also spelled Mery-Sakhmet, who didn’t work for 23 days (came to work on the 24^th)
2. the Valley = in the text written as “the Field”

Similar text on Ostracon Cairo JE 72452:

In the year 2 of Seti II, day 8 of the second month of spring, building the tomb of the queen Tawosret (spelled also Tausret, Twosret or Tausert)

Many workmen were not at work for various reasons, but still getting paid as usual (sick pay?). Type of illness is seldom stated – most frequently mentioned eye diseases, sometimes pain in the ear, arm, leg, or a burn.

B:  O. Berlin 11247 (temp Ramesses II)

The draughtsman Pay says to his son, the draughtsman Preemhab:

Do not turn your back on me: I am not well.
Do not cease weeping for me because I am in the
darkness /¹, since my Lord Amun has turned his back to me.
May you bring me some honey for my eyes,
as well as ochre moulded into lumps (?), and genuine
black eye-paint /². Hurry! Look to it. Am I not your
father? Now I am wretched. I am searching
for my eyesight, but it is gone.

Notes:

1. He has gone blind...Eye problems frequent, probably because of the combination of reasons: working conditions (darkness, lighting, smoke and dust), strong sunlight, lack of hygiene, make-up)
2. Black eye paint containing lead – could have disinfectant properties in the short term, but would be toxic in the long term.

• Articles on this issue:

- MILLER R. L. ; Palaeoepidemiology, Literacy, and Medical Tradition among Necropolis Workmen in New Kingdom Egypt. IN: Medical history 1991, vol. 35, n^o1, pp. 1-24
- Many more resources on this page

C:  Papyrus British Museum EA 10687 (= Pap. Chester Beatty VI)

A mouth against a mouth, a tooth against a tooth.
Re, beware of the poison of the scorpion. I have made of
clay ….. Come here at my word, according as I say.
I am Horus, who made you. Flow forth, you scorpion.

Notes:

1. Papyri Chester Beatty come from the library of the Deir el-Medina scribe Quenhikhopshef, found in his tomb.
2. Papyrus Chester Beatty VI contains more spells against scorpion stings. This one is a copy of a scorpion charmer’s incantation, which makes a clay model of the scorpion to contest the power of the real creature (similar effect as a Horus Cippus).
3. Invocations usually to Selkis the scorpion goddess (one of the guardians of Tut’s canopic chest)

D:  Papyrus British Museum EA 10687 (= Pap. Chester Beatty VI)

If you find that he [the patient] bleeds behind (= Haemorrhoid), and that it flows
for 5 days, you shall prepare for him a remedy:
black eye-paint (galena), ibex fat, and grains of emmer-wheat.
Grind fine together.
Make into 4 pellets, and expose to the dew overnight.
Place in the anus so that he becomes healthy.

Also: Papyrus British Museum EA 5634
- mentions a doctor who is absent from work, caring for the wife of Quenhikhopshef.

Wise Woman

• Called ”She who knows” (and never used in connection with a personal name)
• There are only five textual references (19^th – 20^th Dynasties) of different women serving as the Wise Women of the village
• She is usually an Elder of the village (after the saying "Wisdom comes with age")
• This ‘office’ still exists in nowadays Egypt, Israel, Italy and Ancient Greece

1. Consultant in strange circumstances – where the harmony in the manifestation of Gods has gone wrong for some reason (she is the link between people and gods)

2. Healer, who most likely sometimes serves as a midwife as well

3. Oracle interpreter

Text: Ostracon Letellier¹

Why is it that you failed to go to the Wise Woman
concerning the two boys who died while in your charge?
Inquire from the Wise Woman about the death of
the two boys. ‘Was it their fate? Was it their destiny?’
Require it for me, and get a view on my own life
and that of their mother. As for whatever god
shall be mentioned to you, write to me about his name.
Fulfil the tasks of one who knows her duty.²

Notes:

1.The ostracon is dated to end of 19^th Dynasty. It is in the private possession of the French Egyptologist Bernardette Letellier who published it in 1980.

2. Quenhikhopshef wonders why Inerwau did not on her own initiative consult the Wise Woman. He wants to know why his two boys died, and whether his life and that of their mother is now in danger, and especially which deity was responsible for his misfortune.

• Literature on Health issues and Medicine in Ancient Egypt:

Breasted, J.H.- The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus (University of Chicago Press: University of Chicago, 1930)

Brothwell, D. - "Major Congenital Anomalies of the Skeleton," in Diseases in Antiquity: A Survey of Disease, Injuries, and Surgery in Early Populations (eds.) A.T. Sandison and D. Brothwell (Charles C. Thomas: Springfield, 1967)

Bryan, P.W. - The Papyrus Ebers (Geoffrey Bles: London, 1930)

Buikstra, J.E.; Baker, B.J.; Cook, D.C. -"What Disease Plagues the Ancient Egyptians? A Century of Controversy Considered," In Biological Anthropology and the Study of Ancient Egypt (eds.) W,V. Davies and R. Walter (British Museum Press: London, 1993)

Dasen, V. - Dwarfs in Ancient Egypt and Greece (Clarendon Press: Oxford, 1993)

Dawson, W.R. and E.P. Uphill  - Who Was Who in Egyptology (Egyptian Exploration Society: London, 1993)

Jonckheere, F. - "Le Bossu des Mussées Royaux D'Art et D'Histoire de Bruxelles," Chronique D'Égypt (45) 25, 1958.

Millet, N.; Hart, G.; Reyman, T.; Zimerman, A.; Lewein, P. - "ROM I: Mummification for the Common People," in Mummies, Disease, and Ancient Cultures (eds.) Aiden and Eve Cockburn (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1980)

Morse, D. - "Tuberculosis," in Diseases in Antiquity: A Survey of Diseases, Injuries, and Surgery in Early Populations (eds.) A.T. Sandison and D. Brothwell (Charles Thomas: Springfield, 1967)

Morse, D.; Brothwell, D.; Ucko, P.J.  - "Tuberculosis in Ancient Egypt," in American Review of Respiratory Diseases (90), 1964)

Nunn, J.F. - Ancient Egyptian Medicine (University of Oklahoma Press: Norman, 1996)

Ruffer, M.A. - "Potts'che Krankheit an Einer Ägyptischer Mumie aus der Zeiy der 21 Dynastie," in Zur Historischen Biologie der Krankheiserreger (3), 1910

Ruffer, M.A. - "On Dwarfs and Other Deformed Persons," Bulletin de Societé D'Archéologie D'Alexandrie (13)1, 1911

Sandison, A.T. - "Diseases in Ancient Egypt," in Mummies, Disease, and Ancient Cultures (eds.) Aiden and Eve Cockburn (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1980)

Schrumph-Pierron, B. - "La Mal de Pott en Égypt 4000 Ans Avant Notre Ére," Aesculpe (23)1933

• Web sites:

Medicine in Ancient Egypt by Sameh.M.Arab:  
Article A
Article B
Article C

Ancient Egyptian Medicine

Medical Care (TourEgypt)

Many other resources on medical issues here