Blurb:

This chapter describes the scientific, medical and technological accomplishments in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Topics include:


- celestial divination


- omen astrology


- the substitute king ritual


- the lunar calendar


- understanding the lunar month


- the 'ideal' month


- naming the constellations


- the zodiac and astrology


- horoscopic astrology


- Babylonian astrology


- astronomy and astrology in Egypt


- pyramid shafts


- the calendar and astronomy


- the civil calendar


- the lunar calendar


- Thoth and Khons


- start clocks


- the legacy of Near Eastern celestial knowledge


- disease and the rise of civilization


- medicine in Mesopotamia


- magic by sympathy and contagion


- treatment of disease in ancient Mesopotamia


- surgery


- magico- religious healers


- training


- pregnancy, childbirth and abortion


- dental care


- anatomical knowledge


- medical papyri


- traumatic injuries


- sanitation


- the transmission of medical traditions