IIRC, egyptian skulls of Tut-Ankh Amon, or one of the other horror-film stars, had a hole in the back, where, supposedly, some sort of brain surgery took place - how does this coincide with the idea that the brain is mainly a source of mucous"?
(edited to fix link: don’t forget to put a space after the text of the URL!)
[Edited by Arnold Winkelried on 07-12-2000 at 12:25 PM]
I thought the hole in Egyptian skulls was drilled after death. Removing brainsand other organs was part of the mummification process, and, if I recall correctly, the brain was sucked out through the hole. Since you brought it up, seems like I remember that other internal organs, such as the heart and liver and so forth, were embalmed and entombed with the mummy, but the brain was just thrown away, 'cause it was unimportant. Can anyone else confirm/deny?
According to the Egyptian exhibit at The Field Museum, the brain was pulled out through the nose. (Ewwww!) I don’t recall if it was saved, but I rather doubt it was in any recognizable shape.
The heart (and probably some other internal organs) were removed and saved in canopic jars. These often had carved heads of gods on them. Pretty cool.
Hah! I was hoping to get into a round of self-congratulatory back-slapping about how we modern folks are so darn superior to ancient folks ‘cause we know enough not to throw away peoples’ brains after they’re through using them. I guess it was not to be, though. Thanks for the info.