Ancient Mesopotamian medical texts reveal the role of divine sanctuaries in treating ear and spleen ailments

phys.org/news/2026-01-ancient-…

In a study published in the journal Iraq, Dr. Troels Arbøll analyzed medical prescriptions from ancient Mesopotamia to understand and re-evaluate the role sanctuaries played in the healing process. The study found that specific ailments, particularly those linked to the ear and spleen/pancreas (ṭulīmu), were associated with prescriptions instructing the patients to seek out sanctuaries of deities to receive good fortune.