DrBicuspid (5/28) reported that a study (5/13) published in PLOS One reveals a Neanderthal tooth from Chagyrskaya Cave in Russia, dating back 59,000 years, shows the earliest evidence of deliberate dental intervention. The tooth, featuring a large cavity, exhibited scratches indicative of tool use, confirmed by microtomographic analysis. The study, led by Alisa V. Zubova, suggests the procedure aimed to alleviate pain by removing pulp, marking a significant milestone in understanding Neanderthal cognition and dental practices. Dr. Gregorio Oxilia highlighted the finding as a transition in dental care from instinctive to deliberate intervention.
Links:
https://www.drbicuspid.com/home/article/15825804/did-neanderthals-invent-the-root-canal
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0347662