Archaeologists unearth tomb of ancient Egyptian doctor

Archaeologists sifting through the desert sands at Sakkara have discovered the oldest known tomb of a Pharaonic surgeon, dating back more than 4,000 years, a top Egyptian antiquities, an official said yesterday.

"For the first time, a discovery has been made of a doctor's tomb dating back 4,200 years," said Zahi Hawass, antiquities chief in the Giza pyramids area.

"We found 30 surgical tools (inside the tomb) used by the ancient Egyptian doctor."

Hawass said the grave of Skar, the chief physician of one of Egypt's Fifth Dynasty rulers, contained bronze medical tools such as scalpels, needles and a type of spoon.

He said the discovery would help scholars gain new insights into ancient medical techniques.