Neanderthals performed dental surgery 59,000 years ago

Archaeological findings reveal that Neanderthals practiced dentistry approximately 59,000 years ago, marking the earliest known instance of medical intervention. Researchers discovered a molar with a drilled hole in southwestern Siberia, indicating a Neanderthal intentionally treated a toothache using a sharp stone tool. This procedure aimed to remove infected tissue and alleviate pain, a technique not commonly practiced until millennia later. Analysis of the tooth, including microscopic examination and experimental replication, strongly suggests it was a deliberate medical act. This discovery provides compelling evidence of Neanderthals' capacity for skilled, targeted medical treatment beyond basic care.