The Edwin Smith Papyrus is an ancient Egyptian medical text dating back to around 1600 BCE. It is considered one of the oldest known surgical treatises and is written in hieratic script. The papyrus contains detailed descriptions of various injuries, surgical procedures, and treatments, showcasing the medical knowledge of ancient Egyptians. This document is named after Edwin Smith, an American Egyptologist who purchased it in the 19th century. The papyrus is significant for its systematic approach to medicine, emphasizing observation and diagnosis, which laid the groundwork for future medical practices in civilizations such as Greece and Rome.