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    Discovery of 59,000-Year-Old Neanderthal Tooth Reveals Early Dental Practices

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    Neanderthal molar with drilled cavity discovered in Siberia

    Here's what it means for you.

    This groundbreaking discovery challenges our understanding of Neanderthal intelligence and health care practices.

    What happened

    Researchers found a Neanderthal tooth with signs of drilling, indicating early dental intervention.

    The Context

    • The tooth was found in a cave in southern Siberia.
    • Experts are divided on the interpretation of the findings, with some expressing skepticism.
    • This discovery pushes back the timeline of known dental practices among early humans.

    Takeaway

    This finding may reshape our understanding of Neanderthal capabilities and their approach to health care.

    4 Articles
    New Scientist

    Neanderthals treated a dental cavity by drilling into the tooth

    A recent discovery has revealed that Neanderthals practiced early dentistry by drilling into a tooth to treat bacterial decay, dating back at least 59,000 years. This finding, highlighted in a Neanderthal molar from Siberia, indicates that these anci...

    The Guardian – Science

    Neanderthals used stone drills to treat cavities 59,000 years ago, tooth suggests

    Neanderthals are believed to have used stone drills to treat dental cavities nearly 60,000 years ago, as evidenced by a molar discovered in a cave in southern Siberia. The tooth features a deep hole likely created with a sharp, thin stone tool during...

    The Guardian

    Neanderthals used stone drills to treat cavities 59,000 years ago, tooth suggests

    Neanderthals are believed to have used stone drills to treat dental cavities nearly 60,000 years ago, as evidenced by a molar discovered in a cave in southern Siberia. The tooth features a deep hole likely created with a sharp, thin stone tool during...

    Live Science

    'Exceptional' drilled tooth reveals Neanderthals practiced dentistry in Siberia 60,000 years ago

    A recent discovery in Siberia has revealed a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal tooth featuring a hole likely made by a stone drill, marking the oldest evidence of intentional dentistry known to date. This finding suggests that Neanderthals engaged in advan...

    Scientific American — Global

    59,000-year-old Neanderthal tooth may be oldest evidence of dentistry

    Archaeologists have analyzed a 59,000-year-old Neanderthal molar that appears to have been intentionally drilled, suggesting early forms of dental practices among prehistoric humans. This finding raises questions about the sophistication of Neanderth...

    Scientific American

    59,000-year-old Neanderthal tooth may be oldest evidence of dentistry

    Archaeologists have analyzed a 59,000-year-old Neanderthal molar that appears to have been intentionally drilled, suggesting early forms of dental practices among prehistoric humans. This finding raises questions about the sophistication of Neanderth...