A Neanderthal Was Found with Aspirin and Penicillin 40,000 Years Before We Discovered Them
What does it mean?
In a groundbreaking discovery made several years ago, researchers found evidence of advanced medicine in the dental calculus of a Neanderthal dating back 40,000 years. The medicines in question, aspirin and penicillin, were discovered in the form of salicylic acid and penicillin-producing bacteria. This revelation has opened up new avenues of research into the medical practices of our ancient ancestors.
The research team, led by scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, and Harvard University, reconstructed “paleogenomes” of previously unknown bacteria from the dental tartar of ancient and modern people. The findings, published in Science, suggest that Neanderthals may have had a more sophisticated understanding of medicine than previously thought.
Analyzing Ancient DNA
Tooth tartar, or dental calculus, is a rich source of ancient DNA. It contains fragments of bacterial DNA that have been preserved for thousands of years. By analyzing this DNA, researchers can gain insights into the microbial communities that lived in the mouths of our ancient ancestors.
The challenge in isolating useful genes from ancient tooth tartar is collecting large enough pieces of DNA to deduce the genome sequences of extinct bacteria. Advances in computing have enabled scientists to overlap tiny DNA fragments to piece together unknown genes and even genomes, from chunks exceeding 100,000 bases.
The researchers analyzed the dental calculus of 12 Neanderthals and 52 modern humans, dating back as far as 102,000 years. They found evidence of salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin, and penicillin-producing bacteria in the dental calculus of a Neanderthal dating back 40,000 years.
The discovery of penicillin, a breakthrough in the field of medicine, is an intriguing tale. It was accidentally discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928. Fleming, a Scottish scientist, had been studying the Staphylococcus bacteria at his laboratory in St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Upon returning from a two-week vacation, he noticed a petri dish that had been left uncovered and contaminated with a blue-green mold, which was later identified as Penicillium notatum. Intriguingly, the bacteria around this mold had been destroyed, suggesting that it was producing a substance that inhibited bacterial growth. This observation led Fleming to further investigate the properties of this mold, eventually leading to the discovery of penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic.
Our Strange Cousins
The discovery of antibiotics in Neanderthal dental calculus is just one of many surprising facts about our ancient cousins. Neanderthals displayed acts of altruism, suggesting a complex social structure, as evidenced by their care for the injured and elderly. Archaeological finds in Europe and the Middle East support this theory. Additionally, Neanderthals utilized medicinal plants, such as yarrow and camomile, for their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties, demonstrating an understanding of medicine.
Neanderthals’ capacity for symbolic thought and expression, such as art and music, remains an intriguing question. While definitive evidence for Neanderthal music is elusive, some researchers hypothesize that they may have used simple musical instruments, like bone flutes or percussion tools made from stones or animal bones. The discovery of a Neanderthal cave painting in Spain in 2018 implies a possible appreciation for art and symbolism. Though less is known about Neanderthals’ use of other drugs, archaeologists speculate that they may have used psychoactive substances, such as hallucinogenic mushrooms and plants, in ritual or religious contexts, based on findings in early human sites and the widespread use of psychoactive substances throughout history.
Despite these similarities, it is essential to acknowledge the differences between Neanderthals and modern humans. Notably, Neanderthals had larger brains than modern humans, with an average cranial capacity of 1,500 cubic centimeters compared to the 1,350 cubic centimeters of Homo sapiens. However, brain size alone does not determine intelligence, as modern humans’ cognitive abilities and cultural achievements distinguish us from Neanderthals. Nevertheless, these discoveries reveal that Neanderthals were more human-like than previously thought, challenging our understanding of these extinct hominids.
Implications for Neanderthal Medicine
The discovery of antibiotics in Neanderthal dental calculus raises intriguing questions about their medical practices. Did Neanderthals intentionally consume plants containing salicylic acid or penicillin-producing bacteria to treat infections? Or did they unwittingly ingest these substances as part of their diet?
While we may never know the answers to these questions, the discovery of antibiotics in Neanderthal dental calculus suggests that they had some understanding of the medicinal properties of certain plants and bacteria. This discovery challenges the long-held view that Neanderthals were unsophisticated and lacked the cognitive abilities of modern humans.
The Future of Antibiotic Discovery
The research team’s findings also have implications for the discovery of new antibiotics. By analyzing the DNA of ancient bacteria, scientists can identify genetic instructions for proteins that bacteria naturally manufacture to fight off other bacteria. These proteins could be used to develop new antibiotic drugs or enzymes needed to manufacture them.
As antibiotic resistance becomes an increasingly pressing issue, the need for new antibiotics has never been greater. The discovery of antibiotics in Neanderthal dental calculus suggests that ancient bacteria may hold the key to developing new drugs to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
