Early dental intervention in the Redpath Ptolemaic Theban Male

A computed tomography study of the remains of a Ptolemaic male mummy from Thebes (RM2718; 350–60 BCE), one of three ancient Egyptian human mummies curated at McGill University's Redpath Museum, demonstrates the packing of a large interproximal carious lesion with a protective linen barrier. The dental packing described here is unique among ancient Egyptian mummies studied to date, and represents one of only a few recorded dental interventions in ancient Egypt. Such a finding lends further support for the existence of a group of dental specialists practicing interventional medicine in ancient Egypt. While the physical evidence, to date for other interventions, may be scarce, the findings presented here should underline the need to continue to look for evidence of dental packing as well as other therapeutic dental interventions in the ancient world.

► CT scanning was used to examine the Redpath Museum's Theban Male (RM2718) mummy.
► AMS C-14 dating was conducted, placing the mummy's origin at 350–60 BCE.
► An interproximal caries of the left maxillary M1 and M2 contains linen packing.
► The dental packing is likely evidence of dental intervention in ancient Egypt.
► The maxillary left I1 and right I2 exhibit an angled labial wear pattern.