Neanderthals Drilled Cavities 59,000 Years Ago

Why this is here: The Neanderthal dentist relieved pressure in a tooth by drilling a hole, a technique Durham compares to the beginnings of modern root canal treatment.

Archaeologists in Siberia discovered a Neanderthal molar showing evidence of intentional drilling around 59,000 years ago. The tooth, unearthed at the Chagyrskaya cave, features a hole extending to the pulp cavity.

Dr. Kseniya Kolobova of the Russian Academy of Sciences determined a sharp stone tool created the opening while the individual was still alive.

Researchers replicated the process using jasper tools on modern teeth. They found creating a similar cavity required 35 to 50 minutes of continuous work. Professor Justin Durham, a dental expert, assessed the Neanderthal’s work as skillful, given the limitations of the tools.

The tooth shows signs of wear after the drilling, suggesting the individual continued using it. However, the cavity would have remained vulnerable to infection without further treatment. This discovery adds to growing evidence of complex Neanderthal behaviors and cognitive abilities, revealing a capacity for invasive medical procedures.