Surgical scalpel proves progress in surgeries, medicine in Islamic Egypt

CAIRO – 23 June 2022: In this article ET sheds light on an artifact that was found among a set of surgical tools in Fustat.

The piece is a surgical scalpel with a long handle that ends with a sharp blade, the tip of which is thinner and wider than its handle.

This scalpel was found with a large group of surgical tools in the excavations that took place in the city of Fustat - the first Islamic capital of Egypt, which was established in 21 AH / 641 AD. This group indicates the extent of progress in the field of medicine and surgery in Islamic Egypt. It dates back to the 3rd century AH / 9th AD. It is housed in the Museum of Islamic Art.

The Museum of Islamic Art houses the largest and most impressive collection of Islamic antiquities in the world. The idea of collecting and displaying Islamic artifacts began in 1880, and the museum was opened in 1903 during the reign of Khedive Abbas Helmy II.