The first archeological evidence of massage has been found in ancient civilizations such as those in China, India, Japan, Korea, Egypt, Rome, Greece and Mesopotamia but the oldest depiction of massage was found in a tomb in Egypt.

Presumably from BC 2330, the Tomb of Akmathor showed a picture of men getting their feet and hands massaged. The tomb was also called the tomb of the Physician and it has been subjected to a lot of controversy, with some people believing that the men depicted are getting manicures and pedicures while others believe this is a type of reflexology or massage.

One aspect that makes this picture even more controversial is that it was accompanied by the message “do not let it be painful” to which the answer revealed was “i do it so that you will praise it, King”. Some even consider that this was a sort of surgical procedure but the fact that it should not be painful shows us otherwise. However, most scholars believe that the picture is refers to a sort of therapeutic massage that was performed on the king.

But massage in Ancient Egypt doesn’t end here; it was actually used daily and was performed by healers. Other references can be found in the Kahun Medical Papyrus which is a collection of ancient Egyptian texts that discuss various medical topics.

It dates to 1825 BC and shows different treatments for various illnesses. It comes with many case studies, especially in the area of gynecology. It is divided into 34 sections each dealing with a specific problem; throughout the text you will see massage being referred to as a non-surgical treatment just like herbal medicine and different types of oils.

One depiction of massage, considered a more romantic one was about Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra; it is believed that the former massaged her feet even when they were attending dinner parties.

Other depictions of massage in ancient Egypt were made during the New Kingdom. Apparently in the battle of Kadesh the soldiers of Ramesses II received massage therapy. The battle took place between the Egyptian Empire and the Hittite Empire and it is the earliest battle in recorded history that provides more tactical details.

Most massage records have been found on the papyrus and were later translated. Many medical papyruses contained different case studies about conditions, diagnosis, and whatever the physician needed to prescribe to people in order to keep them healthy. They also gave many details about surgeries that were performed in those times.

Priestesses and priests in temples were trained to become physicians and this also included performing massage therapy as medicine in those times was more ritualistic.

to be continued,

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