In the annals of ancient Egyptian history, amidst the grandeur of pyramids and temples, lies the remarkable legacy of Hesy-Ra, revered as the first dentist in recorded history. Recently, archaeologists uncovered the magnificence of his tomb, shedding new light on the life and accomplishments of this esteemed figure from antiquity.

Located in the necropolis of Saqqara, south of Cairo, the tomb of Hesy-Ra stands as a testament to his status and expertise in ancient Egyptian society. Adorned with intricate hieroglyphic inscriptions and vibrant murals, the tomb offers a glimpse into the life and profession of this pioneering healer.

Unique wood panels

As for the cedar wood planks decorated with reliefs found in Hesy-Ra’s tomb, although they are not the only ones of this type found in an Old Kingdom tomb, they are very rare. Why?

Although it may seem that the most probable cause that many of these panels were not found in tombs from this period is the destructive action of insects, especially the white ant, very abundant in Egypt, in reality the reason is basically the quality wood shortage in the country (which had to be imported), so this material used to be reused.

A young Hesy-Ra with writing implements on his shoulder is depicted on another of the wooden panels found in his tomb. Photo: Cordon Press