Evidence of Early Dental Surgery in Neanderthals 59,000 Years Ago

May 13, 2026, 19:00
AsiaScience

Introduction

Researchers have found a Neanderthal tooth from southwestern Siberia that shows signs of intentional drilling used to treat a cavity.

Main Body

The tooth, found in Russia's Chagyrskaya Cave, is an adult molar from about 59,000 years ago. Using advanced scanning technology, scientists discovered a deep hole reaching the center of the tooth. They emphasized that the marks inside the hole were not caused by natural decay or damage after death. To prove this, the team used jasper stone tools on modern human teeth. These experiments successfully recreated the same patterns found in the fossil, showing that the drilling process took between 35 and 100 minutes. Experts assert that this procedure acted as an early form of a root canal to reduce pain and remove infection. Because the edges of the tooth were smooth and polished, it is clear that the patient survived the operation and continued to use the tooth for eating. This discovery is important because it shows that Neanderthals performed invasive surgery long before Homo sapiens. Furthermore, the procedure suggests that Neanderthals had a high level of social cooperation and intelligence, as the 'dentist' needed great skill and the patient had to endure the pain without any anesthesia.

Conclusion

This discovery proves that Neanderthals performed specific medical treatments tens of thousands of years before modern humans did.

Learning

⚡️ The 'Complexity Jump': From Basic Verbs to Precision Verbs

At the A2 level, you likely use words like say, show, or do. To reach B2, you need precision. The article uses specific verbs that change the entire tone of the sentence from 'simple' to 'academic.'

The Upgrade Path:

  • Instead of "say" →\rightarrow Use "Assert"

    • A2: Experts say this was a root canal.
    • B2: Experts assert that this procedure acted as an early form of a root canal.
    • Why? "Assert" means to say something with confidence and authority. It's a power-word for essays.

  • Instead of "show" →\rightarrow Use "Recreate" or "Suggest"

    • A2: The experiments show the patterns.
    • B2: Experiments successfully recreated the same patterns.
    • Why? "Recreate" is a technical verb. It doesn't just show; it makes it happen again to prove a point.

🛠️ Logic Connectors: Building the Bridge

B2 speakers don't just write short sentences; they glue them together to show how ideas relate. Look at these two tools from the text:

  1. "Furthermore" →\rightarrow Use this when you are adding a stronger or more important point. It's the professional version of "also."
  2. "Because" (Positioning) →\rightarrow Notice how the author starts a sentence with "Because the edges... it is clear that..." This creates a cause-and-effect flow that makes your speaking sound more fluid and less robotic.

🧪 Vocabulary Expansion: The 'Medical-Technical' Cluster

To move toward B2, stop using general words like thing or work. Start using domain-specific clusters. From this text, steal these phrases for your 'Health/Science' vocabulary bank:

A2 WordB2 Technical AlternativeContext from Text
HoleCavity"...treat a cavity"
Deep/InsideInvasive"...performed invasive surgery"
PainkillerAnesthesia"...without any anesthesia"

Vocabulary Learning

cavity (n.)
A small hole in a tooth caused by decay.
Example:The dentist found a cavity in his molar and filled it.
molar (n.)
A large, flat tooth at the back of the mouth used for chewing.
Example:She lost a molar during the accident.
scanning (v.)
Examining something using a scanner.
Example:The researchers were scanning the fossil with X‑ray technology.
technology (n.)
Tools and methods used to solve problems.
Example:Modern technology has made medical procedures safer.
jasper (n.)
A type of stone that was used for tools.
Example:Jasper was used to create the ancient drilling tools.
experiments (n.)
Trials carried out to discover facts.
Example:The team carried out experiments to replicate the drilling.
recreated (v.)
Made again or reproduced.
Example:They recreated the tooth pattern using modern tools.
patterns (n.)
Repeated marks or designs.
Example:The patterns on the fossil matched those on the modern teeth.
fossil (n.)
Preserved remains of an ancient organism.
Example:The fossil tooth was dated to 59,000 years ago.
drilling (v.)
Making a hole by repeated rubbing or cutting.
Example:The drilling process took about 50 minutes.
procedure (n.)
A series of actions performed to achieve something.
Example:The dental procedure involved removing decay.
root canal (n.)
A dental treatment that removes infected pulp.
Example:He had a root canal to relieve the tooth pain.
reduce (v.)
To make smaller or less intense.
Example:The medication will reduce your pain.
infection (n.)
The invasion of harmful microorganisms.
Example:The infection in the tooth spread quickly.
smooth (adj.)
Having a flat, even surface without roughness.
Example:The edges were smooth after polishing.
polished (adj.)
Shiny and smooth after rubbing.
Example:The polished surface reflected light.
patient (n.)
A person receiving medical care.
Example:The patient tolerated the treatment well.
survived (v.)
Lived through a difficult situation.
Example:He survived the operation without complications.
operation (n.)
A surgical procedure to treat or repair.
Example:The operation required careful planning.
invasive (adj.)
Entering or affecting the interior of something.
Example:The invasive surgery was necessary.
social cooperation (n.)
Working together for a common goal.
Example:Social cooperation helped them perform the surgery.
intelligence (n.)
The ability to learn and solve problems.
Example:Their intelligence allowed them to develop tools.
skill (n.)
The ability to perform tasks well.
Example:The dentist's skill was evident in the drilling.
endure (v.)
To withstand or tolerate.
Example:The patient endured the pain without anesthesia.
anesthesia (n.)
Medicine that reduces pain during surgery.
Example:They used no anesthesia during the procedure.
medical treatments (n.)
Procedures or medicines used to heal.
Example:Medical treatments improved their health.