Here's an article (German only, I’m afraid) about a U.S. study that identified “definite” or “probable” atherosclerosis in 20 out of 44 Egyptian mummies they examined.
Amongst them was a princess, with the article suggesting that her diet – specifically her high-calorie, high-meat diet – combined with low amounts of physical exercise, was the likely cause of her heart disease.
Sounds to me like more of the standard "meat causes heart disease" theory, although in fairness it doesn't state that this was the conclusion of the scientists.
Either way, how about an alternative hypothesis?
Firstly, while meat was consumed by the affluent in greater amounts, it is widely accepted that the staple foods of both rich and poor were beer and bread.
The beer had a far lower alcoholic content than the ones seen today, and was consumed mainly for its nutritional value and because it was far safer than the Nile water.
In fact, beer and bread were so revered that workers were largely paid in beer and bread.
Not only that, but many types of fruits and vegetables were consumed, with honey being the favourite – albeit expensive – sweetener at the time; carob and dates were a cheaper alternative. There is also evidence that beer was further sweetened using different types of fruits, and that meat was often preserved using honey.
Dates, figs and grapes were widely available and the Egyptians baked sweet cakes and deserts with dates and honey.
In summary, what this looks like to me is a diet very high in carbohydrates – good old-fashioned sugar that significantly raises your insulin levels and damages your arteries. Damaged arteries that the body then has to use cholesterol to repair, eventually leading to arterial blockages.
If one had the opportunity to closely examine the macronutrient breakdown of this diet, I’m sure it would come out looking very much like that consumed in the obesity and heart disease-ravage western world today.
Just an idea.
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