A new study has revolutionized the understanding of ancient medicine by combining modern science with hands-on historical reenactments. Supported by a European Research Council (ERC) grant, the research team recreated 2nd-century CE dissections described by Galen, uncovering new insights into Greco-Roman medical practices and resolving centuries-old mysteries hidden in ancient texts.

A team of researchers led by Dr. Orly Lewis from the Department of Classics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has introduced a pioneering multidisciplinary approach to the study of ancient medical texts. Supported by a grant from the European Research Council (ERC), this innovative research combines expertise from veterinary and human medicine, computer and data science, ancient history, and classical philology to shed new light on Greco-Roman medical practices.

By reenacting an anatomical dissection described by Galen, one of antiquity’s most influential physicians, the team has provided critical answers to questions that have puzzled historians for centuries. Galen’s 2nd-century CE treatise, Anatomical Procedures, offers detailed descriptions of dissections of the entire body, including the abdominal wall, peritoneal cavity, and internal organs. However, textual inconsistencies caused by 14 centuries of hand-copying have posed significant challenges to modern scholars attempting to interpret his work.

Galen’s work reflects the broader context of Greco-Roman medicine, which stood at the crossroads of empirical observation and philosophical inquiry. Physicians of this era often relied on a blend of direct anatomical study, primarily through animal dissections, and theoretical frameworks rooted in Hippocratic and Hellenistic traditions. Despite the limitations imposed by cultural and ethical norms against human dissection, Galen’s meticulous studies laid the foundation for medical knowledge in both the Islamic world and medieval Europe, shaping the trajectory of Western medicine for over a millennium. By unraveling the complexities of his texts, the study not only enhances our understanding of his methodologies but also sheds light on the enduring influence of Greco-Roman medicine on subsequent scientific thought.

Rather than relying solely on traditional textual analysis, the team recreated Galen’s anatomical dissections to clarify discrepancies in the text and address broader questions about its intended audience, the author’s motivations, and the context in which these dissections were performed.

“This hands-on approach provided extratextual evidence that has been largely inaccessible to scholars relying exclusively on textual evidence,” said Dr. Orly Lewis. “By incorporating real-life, practical methods into the study of ancient texts, we avoided many of the pitfalls associated with manuscript transmission and interpretation. This allowed us to uncover new dimensions of Galen’s work and its impact on ancient and modern medicine.”

The study underscores the value of multidisciplinary collaboration in the medical humanities, as it demonstrates how practical, experiential methods can complement and even challenge traditional textual interpretations. The research not only advances our understanding of Greco-Roman medicine but also provides a framework for addressing similar questions in other areas of ancient history.

This work represents a significant step forward in bridging the gap between the humanities and the sciences, offering a model for how innovative methodologies can deepen our understanding of the past while informing contemporary scholarship.