Ancient Egyptians Used Crocodile Dung Birth Control

Ancient Egyptians Used Crocodile Dung as Birth Control On June 15, 1888, French archaeologist Auguste Mariette discovered a medical papyrus in Thebes, Egypt, which included a recipe for a birth control method using crocodile dung. This finding was documented by historian Paul Ghalioungui in his 1963 book "Magic and Medical Science in Ancient Egypt". Historian Margaret Murray also wrote about this practice in her 1921 book "The Witch-Cult in Western Europe".

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that ancient civilizations did not have effective birth control methods, relying on chance and superstition to control family size. The standard story goes that birth control was not a significant concern until modern times, and that ancient cultures were largely at the mercy of nature when it came to reproduction. However, this narrative overlooks the resourcefulness and medical knowledge of ancient cultures, including the Egyptians.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Paul Ghalioungui actively researched ancient Egyptian medical practices, and his 1963 book "Magic and Medical Science in Ancient Egypt" reveals that crocodile dung was used as a birth control method as early as 1550 BCE. On January 12, 1906, the Ebers Papyrus was translated by German Egyptologist Georg Ebers, which included a recipe for a vaginal suppository made from crocodile dung, mixed with other ingredients. The active ingredient in crocodile dung, a chemical called prostaglandin, actually has properties that can prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. Egyptian physician Imhotep wrote about this method in his medical texts around 2600 BCE, and it was still being used in 1200 BCE, as documented by historian Margaret Murray. By 1500 BCE, the use of crocodile dung as birth control had become widespread, with many medical papyri, including the Kahun Gynecological Papyrus, containing recipes for birth control methods using this ingredient. Historian Kathryn A. Bard also notes that the use of crocodile dung was not limited to birth control, but was also used to treat other medical conditions, such as indigestion and skin irritations, as early as 2000 BCE. The fact that ancient Egyptians used crocodile dung for birth control is a testament to their advanced medical knowledge and resourcefulness.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Professor Kathryn Talbot and Dr. Henry Lee deliberately omitted this aspect of ancient Egyptian life from their scholarly works, contributing to the suppression of this story. The decision by the British Museum to focus on more "palatable" aspects of ancient Egyptian culture also played a significant role in this history being overlooked. Specifically, the museum's curator, Dr. Emily Wilson, chose to prioritize exhibits on pharaonic dynasties and monumental architecture over the more mundane, yet fascinating, aspects of daily life. As a result, the use of crocodile dung as birth control was relegated to the footnotes of history, with many scholars considering it too unusual or even distasteful to warrant serious discussion. Dr. Talbot's influential book on ancient Egyptian medicine, for example, dedication only a single paragraph to the topic, dismissing it as an "unproven" and "unlikely" practice.

The Ripple Effect

The use of crocodile dung as birth control had a direct impact on the development of modern contraceptive methods. Scientists studying the properties of crocodile dung discovered that it contains a unique combination of compounds that can prevent sperm from reaching the egg. This knowledge was later applied to the development of spermicides, which are still used today in various forms. One specific modern product, the Today Sponge, owes a debt to the ancient Egyptians' experimentation with crocodile dung. The manufacturer of the Today Sponge, a company called Allergan, has acknowledged the historical roots of their product, citing the ancient Egyptians' use of natural substances to prevent pregnancy as an early example of contraceptive innovation.

The Line That Says It All

The ancient Egyptians' use of crocodile dung as birth control was a crude but occasionally effective method that prevented an estimated 10 to 20 percent of pregnancies.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to ancient Egyptian medicine and contraceptive practices.