Merit Ptah
Encyclopedia
Merit Ptah was an early physician
in ancient Egypt. She is most notable for being the first woman known by name in the history of the field of medicine, and possibly the first named woman in all of science as well. Her picture can be seen on a tomb in the necropolis near the step pyramid of Saqqara
. Her son, who was a High Priest, described her as "the Chief Physician."
The IAU
named the impact crater Merit Ptah
on Venus after her.
Note: The physician Merit Ptah should not be confused with Merit-Ptah, the wife of Ramose, the Governor of Thebes and Vizier under Amenophis IV, who is depicted with her husband in TT55
in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna
[Western-Thebes].
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
in ancient Egypt. She is most notable for being the first woman known by name in the history of the field of medicine, and possibly the first named woman in all of science as well. Her picture can be seen on a tomb in the necropolis near the step pyramid of Saqqara
Saqqara
Saqqara is a vast, ancient burial ground in Egypt, serving as the necropolis for the Ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis. Saqqara features numerous pyramids, including the world famous Step pyramid of Djoser, sometimes referred to as the Step Tomb due to its rectangular base, as well as a number of...
. Her son, who was a High Priest, described her as "the Chief Physician."
The IAU
IAU
IAU may refer to:*International Astronomical Union*International American University*International American University College of Medicine*International Association of Universities*International Association of Ultrarunners...
named the impact crater Merit Ptah
Merit Ptah (crater)
Merit Ptah is an impact crater on Venus named in honor of the chief physician Merit Ptah in ancient Egypt....
on Venus after her.
Note: The physician Merit Ptah should not be confused with Merit-Ptah, the wife of Ramose, the Governor of Thebes and Vizier under Amenophis IV, who is depicted with her husband in TT55
TT55
The Theban Tomb TT55 is located in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, part of the Theban Necropolis, on the west bank of the Nile, opposite to Luxor. It is the burial place of the Ancient Egyptian Vizier, Ramose. It has a main room originally containing 32 columns and a corridor with 8 columns. This tomb is...
in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna
Sheikh Abd el-Qurna
The necropolis of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna is located on the West Bank at Thebes, Egypt.Named after the doomed tomb of the local saint. This is the most frequently visited cemetery on the Theban west bank, with the largest concentration of private tombs....
[Western-Thebes].