<P> From the ancient Egyptian mummifications to 18th century scientific research on `` globules '' and neurons , there is evidence of neuroscience practice throughout the early periods of history . The early civilizations lacked adequate means to obtain knowledge about the human brain . Their assumptions about the inner workings of the mind , therefore , were not accurate . Early views on the function of the brain regarded it to be a form of `` cranial stuffing '' of sorts . In ancient Egypt , from the late Middle Kingdom onwards , in preparation for mummification , the brain was regularly removed , for it was the heart that was assumed to be the seat of intelligence . According to Herodotus , during the first step of mummification : `` The most perfect practice is to extract as much of the brain as possible with an iron hook , and what the hook can not reach is mixed with drugs . '' Over the next five thousand years , this view came to be reversed ; the brain is now known to be the seat of intelligence , although colloquial variations of the former remain as in `` memorizing something by heart '' . </P>
<P> From the ancient Egyptian mummifications to 18th century scientific research on `` globules '' and neurons , there is evidence of neuroscience practice throughout the early periods of history . The early civilizations lacked adequate means to obtain knowledge about the human brain . Their assumptions about the inner workings of the mind , therefore , were not accurate . Early views on the function of the brain regarded it to be a form of `` cranial stuffing '' of sorts . In ancient Egypt , from the late Middle Kingdom onwards , in preparation for mummification , the brain was regularly removed , for it was the heart that was assumed to be the seat of intelligence . According to Herodotus , during the first step of mummification : `` The most perfect practice is to extract as much of the brain as possible with an iron hook , and what the hook can not reach is mixed with drugs . '' Over the next five thousand years , this view came to be reversed ; the brain is now known to be the seat of intelligence , although colloquial variations of the former remain as in `` memorizing something by heart '' . </P>
who believed the body was controlled by the heart
who believed the body was controlled by the heart
ancient Egypt late Middle Kingdom
ancient Egypt late Middle Kingdom