Study Finds 59,000-Year-Old Tooth Shows Signs of Early Dental Procedure

A molar recovered from Chagyrskaya Cave in Siberia shows signs of an invasive dental procedure performed on a Neanderthal individual approximately 59,000 years ago. The tooth, examined from five different angles, belonged to an adult. Researchers have not determined the individual's gender.

The specimen was found at Chagyrskaya Cave in the Siberia region of Russia. The study was released on May 13, 2026. The molar is described in research published in PLOS One. The analysis indicates the procedure represents the earliest-known example of invasive dental surgery. The tooth provides physical evidence of medical intervention by Neanderthals during the period.

The study examined wear patterns and modifications on the tooth surface. These features suggest deliberate intervention rather than natural damage. Further analysis of the specimen may provide additional information about Neanderthal behavior and health practices.