Ancient Egyptian Mummies Reveal What Diseases Plagued the Civilization

In one study, 65 percent of mummies had parasitic worms. In another, 40 percent had head lice.

Of the mummies tested for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, 22 percent had it.

Egypt and Nubia were heavily burdened by parasites. The Nile River played a unique role in spreading diseases like malaria and leishmaniasis.

Vector-borne diseases such as malaria and leishmaniasis were common in ancient Egypt due to the Nile, despite the arid conditions of the region.

Read at www.scientificamerican.com