A recent study conducted by Petra Brukner Havelková of the National Museum in Prague, Miroslav Bárta, and their colleagues has uncovered intriguing findings regarding the skeletal health of ancient Egyptian scribes. The research, published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports, highlights the occupational bone damage suffered by these elites who played a significant role in ancient Egyptian society.

The scribes held a privileged position due to their rare literacy during the third millennium B.C.E. However, the exact literacy rate during that time remains a topic of debate among experts. Veronika Dulíková, an Egyptologist at the Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University, explains that census-type data is unavailable, and the estimation of 1% of the population being literate is based on calculations made by British Egyptologists John Baines and Christopher Eyre.

The study, aimed at finding diagnostic changes in the skeleton that could indicate an individual's occupation as a scribe, examined the remains of 69 men buried at the Abusir necropolis during the Old Kingdom era, which operated approximately 4,700 to 4,180 years ago. Out of these men, 30 were identified as scribes based on written sources found in their tombs. The remaining 39 individuals belonged to the lower strata of society, and their identities and occupations remain unknown.

The researchers discovered that the repetitive actions performed by the scribes, such as writing on papyrus, pottery, or wooden surfaces, contributed to bone damage, particularly above the waist. The skeletal analysis revealed signs of osteoarthritis in the leg joints, eroded kneecaps, and ankle damage. However, it was the upper body that displayed more significant occupational damage, including the backbone, neck vertebrae, shoulder, and jaw joint.

The use of rush pens, which were chewed to form a brush-like head, placed long-term stress on the scribes' jaws. Additionally, the constant bending of the neck to see their work while kneeling or cross-legged contributed to degeneration of the neck vertebrae. The team also noted damage to the right thumb, potentially caused by the dexterity required to write with a reed pen.

Despite their relatively elderly age, the scribes' skeletal wear and tear could not be solely attributed to ageing, according to the researchers. The extent of damage to their jaws and neck vertebrae suggested occupational factors rather than age as the primary cause.

Interestingly, the leg joints of the scribes did not exhibit significant differences from the control group, which could be attributed to the fact that both scribes and non-scribes commonly assumed sitting, kneeling, or cross-legged positions.

The study not only sheds light on the physical toll of undertaking the work of a scribe but also emphasizes the importance of analyzing skeletal remains to gain insights into the lifestyle, occupation, and health of ancient populations.

This new understanding of the unique bone damage sustained by ancient Egyptian scribes brings us closer to unraveling the physical realities and challenges faced by these historical figures, revealing the hidden impact of their privileged but demanding profession.