Procreation and its Mechanism

Question 1

papyrus 500: Tale of the Doomed Prince

Answer 1

• King of Egypt prays for a son and his wish is fulfilled
  o Slept with wife same night of prayer
  o 10 months of pregnancy, possibly due to shorter months
• 7 Hathor’s foretells that child will die by crocodile, snake, or dog

Question 2

D’Orbiney Papyrus: Tale of the Two brothers

Answer 2

• Bata is changed into tree and impregnates former wife while in tree form
• Wife asks to cut down tree and splinter falls into her mouth and impregnates her

Question 3

Papyrus Berlin 3038 “Brugsch Papyrus”

Answer 3

over 5 meters long with various medical prescriptions and sections on gynecology

Question 4

Papyrus Berlin 3038: Formula 199

Answer 4

“formula to see if a woman will give birth or not”
* Seems like a pregnancy test: pee on two plants for a period of time
o Barley (it) sprouts then boy
o Wheat (bdt) sprout then girls
o Test present in many cultures, Greek, German, roman,…

Question 5

What was used in Hogban pregnancy test?

Answer 5

Frog - Xenopus Laevis