Coffin and skeleton of a child
From Speos Artemidos,
22nd Dynasty, around 850 BC
An ancient case of 'brittle bone' disease
The bones of the infant are so badly deformed that the excavator, John Garstang originally identified them as those of a monkey. In fact, the baby suffered from the rare disorder osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as 'brittle bone disease'. This condition is due to the inadequate formation of bone tissue, resulting in distortion of the bones. This can be seen clearly in the skull, which has become very low and broad, and the upper arms, thighs and lower legs, all of which have become curved. They would never have been able to bear any weight. The bones are so fragile that they can be fractured while the foetus is still in the womb. The birth process could fracture all the bones in the baby's body. Today, a baby with this disorder would be delivered by caesarean section. In ancient times it is very unlikely that the child would survive the birth.
J. Filer, Disease, (Egyptian Bookshelf) (London, The British Museum Press, 1995)
W.R. Dawson and P.H.K. Gray, Catalogue of Egyptian antiquit (London, 1968)