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Why Circumcision: From Prehistory to the Twenty-First Century

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Surgical Guide to Circumcision

Abstract

This chapter reviews the history of the most globally distributed cultural practice, save fire and tool making. The authors review known archeological data and explore various opinions and possibilities why circumcision became so globally ubiquitous. From a historical-cultural view, circumcision is a fascinating enigma; it is an ancient custom that is endowed with culture, religion, pragmatism, mysticism, Darwinian considerations, medical significance, and debate.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Guy Cox M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon)

  2. School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Brian J. Morris Ph.D., D.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons)

Authors
  1. Guy Cox M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon)
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  2. Brian J. Morris Ph.D., D.Sc., B.Sc. (Hons)
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Correspondence to Guy Cox M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon) .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington; MedicoLens.com, NE 89th St, Seattle, 98115, USA

    David A. Bolnick

  2. Hospital for Sick Children, University Avenue 555, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada

    Martin Koyle

  3. University of Rochester, New York, 14620, USA

    Assaf Yosha

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Cox, G., Morris, B.J. (2012). Why Circumcision: From Prehistory to the Twenty-First Century. In: Bolnick, D., Koyle, M., Yosha, A. (eds) Surgical Guide to Circumcision. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2858-8_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2858-8_21

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