Men with writing proficiency enjoyed a privileged position in ancient Egyptian society in the third millennium BC. Research focusing on these officials of elevated social status (“scribes”) usually concentrates on their titles, scribal statues, iconography, etc., but the individuals themselves, and their skeletal remains, have been neglected. The aim of this study is to reveal whether repetitive tasks and maintained postures related to scribal activity can manifest in skeletal changes and identify possible occupational risk factors. A total of 1767 items including entheseal changes, non-metric traits, and degenerative changes were recorded from the human remains of 69 adult males of well-defined social status categories from the necropolis at Abusir (2700–2180 BC). Statistically significant differences between the scribes and the reference group attested a higher incidence of changes in scribes and manifested themselves especially in the occurrence of osteoarthritis of the joints. Our research reveals that remaining in a cross-legged sitting or kneeling position for extended periods, and the repetitive tasks related to writing and the adjusting of the rush pens during scribal activity, caused the extreme overloading of the jaw, neck and shoulder regions.
Oops it’s in the article
“They said changes around the jaw could also be linked to such postures, or the habit of scribes to chew their rush tools to make a brush-like head.”
I get the damage to the thumbs, but what in being a scribe would cause more damage to the jaw or hips than anyone else?
It says why in the article. They sat cross-legged and chewed on the end of rushes to make a brush.
Didn’t realize that; interesting to know, thanks.
Oops it’s in the article “They said changes around the jaw could also be linked to such postures, or the habit of scribes to chew their rush tools to make a brush-like head.”