Evidence Of First-Ever Ear Surgery From 5,300 Years Ago Found In Spain

Scientists have found evidence of the earliest ear surgery on a human from 5,300 years ago. Researchers from the University of Valladolid in Spain and Spanish National Research Council in Italy published a paper in the journal Scientific Reports, outlining learnings from a human skull that was excavated from the Dolmen of El Pend車nis in 2018.

Dolmen of El Pend車nis is situated in Burgos, Spain - a site most probably used by early people as a place to conduct funerals. Previous research indicates that the site was used for this purpose for 800 years between 3,800 and 3,000 BC.

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Recently, scientists analysed a skull found at the site and found that it had evidence of a type of cranial surgery intended to treat an ear ailment. Not only was the surgery performed, but the woman who got the procedure done was able to survive it, even if for a few months.

Earliest proof of ear surgery

The skull of the woman aged between 35-50 was dated to 5,300 years ago, making it the earliest example of an ear surgery. In modern science, the procedure is called mastoidectomy. It is conducted to clean an area behind the area that may have become infected. Inability to deal with the problem can cause deafness in many people, or serious infections that can cause death.

Scientific Reports

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At the same tomb of the patient, a flint tool was also discovered. It had evidence of having been reheated multiple times, implying that it may have been used as a cautery tool to stop the bleeding.

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In the woman's skull, scientists found evidence bone regrowth in the holes, suggesting the surgery may have been successful, even if for a short while. Did you know such complex procedures have such sophisticated history? Let us know in the comments below.

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References

Yirka, B. (2022, February 23). Earliest evidence of ear surgery 5,300 years ago. Phys.Org.