Circumcision might well be claimed to be the most ancient ‘elective’ operation and was practice in Ancient Egypt by assistants to the priests on the priests and on members of Royal families.
There is remarkable evidence for this carved on the tomb of a high ranking royal official which was discovered in the Sakkara cemetery in Memphis and is dated between 2400 and 3000 BC.The ancient Jews may have learned the art of circumcision during their bondage in Egypt and, indeed, circumcision is the only surgical procedure mentioned in the Old Testament, the practice of circumcision among Jews being attributed to Abraham.
Early ethnological studies revealed that circumcision was practiced very widely among primitive communities, including those of equatorials Africa, the Bantus, Australian Aborigines and in South America and the South Pacific, as well as being traditional among Jews, Muslims and Copts.
Its origin, perhaps as a fertility or initiation rite or possibly for cleanliness or hygiene. Its traditional basis is confirmed by the fact that in many communities, even though metal instruments were available, the operation was still performed with a flint knife.
Circumcision
