A recent study reveals that the world’s first dentist was likely a Neanderthal who lived 59,000 years ago in what is now southwestern Siberia. This Neanderthal had a severe toothache and allowed someone to drill into their tooth with a sharp stone tool to remove infected tissue, relieving the pain. The tooth, discovered in Chagyrskaya Cave, is the oldest known evidence of dentistry or any medical treatment. Researchers, led by paleoanthropologist Alisa Zubova, used advanced techniques to confirm that the hole in the tooth was intentionally made. This discovery highlights the ingenuity of Neanderthals in addressing health issues long before modern dental practices were established.
QUESTION: How might this discovery change our understanding of Neanderthals and their capabilities?
Neanderthals drilled cavities to treat a toothache 59,000 years ago
