When we look at the history of ancient medicine, we find that ancient civilizations were advanced in many areas thanks to the ingenuity and innovation of their doctors.
Among these civilizations, the Mesopotamian civilization stands out, with its great achievements in medicine and therapy. One of the most impressive discoveries is the Assyrian medical letters, which reveal advanced medical practices used to address complex health challenges.
A diagnostic letter about 3000 years ago
Among these amazing letters comes a letter dating back to the VII century BC, sent by a doctor to the Assyrian king NABU Nasir. This letter contains amazing details about how doctors dealt with dental health problems that were causing severe pain to the king, not only in the tooth, but in the rest of the body as he suffered from headaches and limb pain.
In the letter, the doctor diagnoses the reason for the King’s aches as the result of a dental problem, and explains that caries, which was then believed to be caused by worms, is the culprit of these symptoms.
Treatment of dental roots
The doctor gave recommendations for treatment, indicating two main options: the first is the treatment of the tooth via “internal channels”, where caries is cleaned, which is as close as possible to what we know today as Root therapy. The second option is to completely extract the affected tooth if the condition is advanced.
The progress of medical thought in the civilization of Assyria
The letter reveals the awareness of Assyrian doctors about the impact of oral health on the rest of the body, an idea that modern medical research discovered only in the XIX century. This awareness reflects the superiority of Assyrian doctors in understanding the interrelation between oral health and the general health of the body.
The cuneiform texts that documented these messages also show the diversity of medical practices of the time, as they included not only the use of herbs and oils, but also spiritual rituals and simple surgical techniques.
Historicity of the document and its discovery
This precious document, published and translated by Allama professor Taha Baqer in the twentieth century (it was published exclusively in scientific journals, but it was not published in any media for the public, and this is the first time it is published on any newspaper or magazine aimed at the public), confirms the place of Assyrian medicine among the civilizations of the ancient world. This letter was found in tell qwaynjaq, north of the city of Mosul in Iraq, and is considered one of the most important documents highlighting the medical progress of the Assyrians.
This rich medical heritage is a source of pride for humanity and reminds us of the importance of continuing to research and learn from past civilizations to develop a healthier and more prosperous future.
