A Neanderthal molar discovered at Chagyrskaya Cave in southwestern Siberia provides evidence of a dental procedure dating to approximately 59,000 years ago. The finding, published in the journal PLOS One, is described by researchers as the earliest known example of invasive dental treatment outside of Homo sapiens.
Discovery and Location
The tooth was found at Chagyrskaya Cave, a site in southern Siberia that has yielded multiple Neanderthal remains as well as thousands of stone and bone tools. Researchers describe the cave as containing one of the richest collections of Neanderthal artifacts in this part of Eurasia.
Evidence of the Procedure
Microscopic X-ray imaging, micro-CT scans, and scanning electron microscopy revealed a deep hole in the center of the molar that extends into the pulp cavity. The hole occupies the entire volume where the dental pulp would have been located. Radial grooves visible under magnification suggest the cavity was created by a sharp, thin stone tool rotated against the chewing surface.
Experimental drilling on modern human teeth using a replica stone tool—specifically a narrow jasper tool rotated manually between the fingers—produced similar hole shapes and microscopic abrasion patterns. Researchers estimate the procedure would have required 35 to 50 minutes of continuous work.
Condition of the Tooth
The tooth shows areas of demineralization consistent with severe tooth decay (caries), as well as toothpick grooves. Smoothed edges and wear patterns inside the cavity indicate that the individual survived the procedure and continued to use the tooth for chewing afterward.
Potential Explanations
Researchers propose that the hole was created intentionally to remove infected dental tissue, an act that would have been painful but could have alleviated pain from the infection. The procedure would have relieved pressure from the pulp cavity, similar in principle to a modern root canal treatment.
An independent researcher not involved in the study noted that the hole could also have resulted from repeated contact and wear, but described the evidence for a deliberate procedure as "certainly believable."
Significance
If confirmed as intentional dental treatment, the procedure suggests that Neanderthals possessed knowledge of dental care and the manual dexterity to perform precise operations. This implies cooperation between individuals, as performing the procedure on another person would have required trust and coordination.
"This implies cooperation between individuals, as performing the procedure on another person would have required trust and coordination."
The study was authored by Alisa Zubova (Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, Russia), Kseniya Kolobova (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences), and colleagues. Funding was provided by the Russian Science Foundation.