5,300-year-old skull bears traces of the earliest known ear surgery

A group of archaeologists excavated a skull from a tomb dating back about 5,300 years in 2018. Scientists doing research on the skull found traces that are thought to belong to the oldest ear surgery performed on a human.

5300 years of ear surgery

Archaeologists working at an excavation site in the El Pendón Dolmen in Burgos, Spain, found a skull. As a result of the examinations, it is estimated that the skull belonged to a woman who was discovered to be 65 or older at the time of her death.

Researchers from the University of Valladolid studied this skull found in 2018 and observed scars that they thought were signs of a primitive surgical procedure used to treat a middle ear infection. The research team suggests that holes were drilled on both sides of the head to try to relieve the increased pressure in the ear canal. Considering the development in the bones, it is stated that the woman was able to continue her life after the surgery.

A flint blade, which had been heated several times at high temperatures, and which had traces on it that was thought to be from a cutting operation, was also found during the examinations made at the excavation site. It could have been used for cautery or as a surgical instrument, the team said.

It is stated that the information revealed by the skull of approximately 5300 years about surgical interventions in that period is similar to the techniques used for many years. Remains of about 100 people were found in the excavation area and research on them continues.