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Observing such historical studies we should be very critical of reserchers data. Since most ancient history is not exact and we have but fragments to interpret.
Take this report with a grain of salt. Many factors need to be considered for the evidence of eating pork in ancient Egypt:
1.The article mentions a higher class person living during the Ptolemaic times but does not go into detail wheather this mummy is an ethnic Macedonian,Greek,or Egyptian. Odds are it could have been a Egyptianized Greek
2.From what text does the resercher get the evidence for Set followers eating pork but with followers of Wsir[Osiris] abstaning from pork?
Egypt Mummy Shows Taste for Pork By Rossella Lorenzi, Discovery News
an. 10, 2005 ? Ancient Egyptians ? unlike their Muslim modern descendents ? had a taste for pork, according to a mummy autopsy.
In a study to be published in the coming months in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Fabrizio Bruschi, a pathologist from Italy's Pisa University, and colleagues report the discovery of the oldest known case of cysticercosis ? a pig-related disease ? in a mummy from the late Ptolemaic period (II-I century B.C.).
Often contracted from undercooked pork, cysticercosis is an infection caused by the pork tapeworm Taenia solium.
Known as the "mummia di Narni," from the town in central Italy where it is kept, the mummy belongs to a young woman about 20 years old. Most likely an upper-class lady, she rests in a beautiful wooden sarcophagus.
"Unfortunately, disrespectful hands removed the bandage," said Edda Bresciani, the Egyptologist who first studied the mummy in 1987.
Embalmed with a technique that required evisceration followed by re-deposition of the internal organs in the body cavities, the mummy was in ideal condition for autopsy.
On removal of the stomach and its rehydration, the researchers noticed a cystic lesion in the stomach wall.
"Light microscopy of sections derived from this lesion revealed a cyst of 6x4 mm in size, with numerous projecting eversions. This is a characteristic feature of the larval stage of the human tapeworm Taenia solium. Immunohistochemical testing confirmed the cysticercosis diagnosis," Bruschi told Discovery News.
Uncommon in the industrialised world, cysticercosis nevertheless affects an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Endemic areas include Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, India, and East Asia.
The infection occurs when the tapeworm larvae enter the body and form cysts.
Once inside the stomach, the tapeworm eggs disseminate in the bloodstream.
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Although cysticerci may be found in almost any tissue, the most frequently reported locations are the muscle and the central nervous system.
Symptoms, which can occur months to years after infection, include mood swings and epilepsy.
The mummy's diagnosis confirms that pigs were herded and raised in the Hellenistic Egypt.
Indeed, archaeological finds of pig bones indicate that pork has been an element of diet at different times in Egyptian history.
"Throughout ancient Egyptian history, pigs were associated with the god Set/Seth, the 'evil' broth of Osiris. During times when worship of Osiris was in the ascendency, pork was rejected as food; during times when worship of Seth was in the ascendency, pork was enjoyed," Louis Grivetti, professor of nutrition at the University of California, Davis, told Discovery News.
According to Grivetti, who co-authored the book "Food: The Gift of Osiris," this means that pork was eaten during the 19th dynasty when various kings named Seti (beloved of Set/Seth) ruled, and when other kings named Rameses ruled.
Followers of Osiris would have rejected pork as food.
The fact that the mummy dates from the late Ptolemaic period (II-I century B.C.) poses intriguing questions.
"I know of no text, whether in Egyptian or Greek, that identifies banquet meals where pork was served during late Ptolemaic times," Grivetti said.
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Until the invasion and subsequent submission of the Egyptian people by the Arabs in 64O Ad I believe, there would have been no prohibition on the eating of pork. Since up to the time of the arab conquest, Egyptians were Christians, and Christians eat pork. The reason why Egyptians do not eat port today is because they are a country and people subjected to the religion of the Arabs, their conquerers - Islam. I am eternally grateful that the monarchs of England managed to repel any Arab invasion,and their religion, otherwise we would also be a subject nation unable to eat pork. Posts: 304 | From: egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Mrs. Doubtfire: Until the invasion and subsequent submission of the Egyptian people by the Arabs in 64O Ad I believe, there would have been no prohibition on the eating of pork. Since up to the time of the arab conquest, Egyptians were Christians, and Christians eat pork. The reason why Egyptians do not eat port today is because they are a country and people subjected to the religion of the Arabs, their conquerers - Islam. I am eternally grateful that the monarchs of England managed to repel any Arab invasion,and their religion, otherwise we would also be a subject nation unable to eat pork.
Also according to you, before the Arab conquests Egyptians were cooking babies and eating them!
To you: "Baby, the other white meat!"
Posts: 26260 | From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Registered: Feb 2005
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