how healthy were the ancients?

By examining the remains- especially the mummified remains of bodies found in tombs and those naturally mummified in peat bogs, hot desert sands, and ice and snow- scientist have learned much about the health of our distant ancestors. Advantages in genetics in particular have given scientists powerful new tools to determine anything from the family relationships of the Pharaohs and their queens to the blood types if Inca maidens. These studies have revealed that the ancients suffered many of the health problems we have today, including arthritis and warts.

The ancient Egyptians in particular seemed to suffer more than their share of ills, largely because of the multitude of parasites-from blood flukes to guinea worms and tape worms- that they picked up from the Nile River and irrigation canals.