Neanderthals Drilled Cavities 59,000 Years Ago, Siberian Tooth Reveals

Archaeologists have uncovered compelling evidence that Neanderthals practiced dentistry approximately 59,000 years ago, employing stone tools to treat cavities. The discovery, centered on a single molar unearthed in a cave in southern Siberia, reveals a meticulously drilled hole that predates similar procedures found in Homo sapiens by over 40,000 years. This finding challenges long-held stereotypes of Neanderthals as primitive beings and underscores their complex cognitive and cultural capabilities.

The molar, excavated from the Chagyrskaya cave, exhibits a deep perforation extending into the tooth's pulp cavity. Microscopic X-ray imaging confirmed severe tooth decay and indicated that the hole was created during the individual's lifetime. Researchers from the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, led by Dr. Kseniya Kolobova, meticulously analyzed the tooth and surrounding sediment. They conducted experiments on modern human teeth, successfully replicating the cavity's shape and microscopic wear patterns by manually rotating a narrow stone tool, likely made from local jasper.

"This discovery powerfully reinforces the now well-supported view that Neanderthals were not the brutish, inferior cousins of outdated stereotypes but a sophisticated human population with complex cognitive and cultural capacities," stated Dr. Kolobova. "It adds an entirely new dimension – invasive medical treatment – to the growing list of advanced Neanderthal behaviours." The successful replication of the drilling technique suggests it required considerable manual dexterity and took an estimated 35 to 50 minutes of continuous work.

Early Medical Interventions

The implications of this ancient dental work are significant. The smoothed edges and internal wear patterns within the drilled cavity suggest the Neanderthal patient survived the procedure and continued to use the tooth for some time afterward. This level of care and intervention points to a nuanced understanding of pain and affliction, and a deliberate effort to alleviate suffering.

Justin Durham, a professor of orofacial pain at Newcastle University, who reviewed the findings, described the Neanderthal's work as "a decent job" given the primitive tools. "If I was marking this for a dental student, I wouldn’t give it an A, but given the circumstances it’s pretty impressive," Durham commented. He explained that such an intervention, akin to the beginnings of a root canal, would have likely relieved the intense pressure associated with infected pulp, providing short-term pain relief.

This Siberian find adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting Neanderthals possessed advanced behaviors beyond simple survival. Previous discoveries include evidence of Neanderthals caring for infirm group members, such as an individual with a withered arm and deformities, and a child with Down's syndrome who lived to at least six years old. These instances highlight a capacity for compassion and complex social structures.

The patient's ability to endure the procedure and potentially benefit from it also speaks to their resilience and the skilled application of the Neanderthal dentist's knowledge. "What struck me, and continues to strike me, is what an incredibly strong-willed person this Neanderthal must have been," said Dr. Lydia Zotkina, an archaeologist at the Russian Academy of Sciences and co-author of the study. "They must have surely understood that although the pain of the procedure was greater than the pain of the inflammation, it was only temporary and had to be endured." The tooth's survival for an extended period post-procedure underscores the potential effectiveness of the treatment in managing infection and pain, even with rudimentary techniques.