Ancient Egyptian physicians were the most skilled in the ancient world. They were the first to divide medicine into specialties and also the first to practice brain surgery. Egyptologist Bob Brier will trace the beginning of "the necessary art" from mummification and magic to clinical practice. Dr. Bob Brier will discuss the various medical papyri will be discussed, and describe how Imhotep, the architect of the first pyramid in Egypt, later became Aesculapius, the god of healing. Bob Brier is senior research fellow at Long Island University/LIU Post. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Archaeology Institute of America - Houston Society and is included in a course sponsored by Rice University's Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.