Neanderthals performed dental drilling 59,000 years ago in North Asian cave. Cave in North Asia contains over 70 Neanderthal fossils and 26 dental specimens A lower second molar dated to ~59,000 years ago shows a deep hole extending into the pulp cavity Microscopic X-ray imaging revealed mineralization changes indicating severe tooth decay
A ~59,000-year-old Neanderthal molar from a North Asian cave shows a hole drilled into the pulp cavity, with X-rays revealing severe decay. A jasper tool rotated by hand could replicate the hole in 35-50 minutes. The oldest known dental drilling, predating other examples by 40,000+ years.
Key Facts
- Cave in North Asia contains over 70 Neanderthal fossils and 26 dental specimens
- A lower second molar dated to ~59,000 years ago shows a deep hole extending into the pulp cavity
- Microscopic X-ray imaging revealed mineralization changes indicating severe tooth decay
- Experiments on modern human teeth showed a hole of the same shape could be drilled manually using a jasper tool rotated between two fingers, taking 35-50 minutes
- First dental drilling demonstrated outside Homo sapiens and the oldest example of this behavior by more than 40,000 years
- Individual survived for some time after the procedure, as shown by further wear on the tooth
- The procedure is described by modern dentists as the beginnings of a root canal
Related site: Chagyrskaya — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Latest #Archaeology Discoveries: May 2026 by Inside Archaeology