The myth of Merit Ptah: Not the first ever female physician

For people who know a thing or two about Ancient Egypt, perhaps the name Merit Ptah rings a bell: Merit Ptah is credited as being the "first woman known by name in the history of science," but it turns out the famous female physician was a myth, according to Science Alert. University of Colorado medical historian Jakub Kwiecinski claims that there is no actual proof that she ever existed, and claims to her existence are likely down to a mix-up of facts and dates over the 80 years since her name became recognized.