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A Thumb Phalanx of a Neanderthal Affected by Osteoarthritis
An exceptional discovery that highlights the ancient occurrence of osteoarthritis, which does not appear to be caused by genetic factors but rather by the individual’s age and daily activities.
Humans have suffered from many diseases and ailments typical of our era since ancient times, and unfortunately, this has always posed problems due to the lack of medical knowledge at those times, which now allows us to survive more effectively. For example, there is a fossil of a metatarsal from a hominid approximately 1.7 million years old that was affected by osteosarcoma. The fossil was found in the Swartkrans Cave in South Africa and likely caused significant pain to the individual, leading to mobility issues. It is unknown whether it belonged to an adult or a juvenile, or if it was the cause of death. However, this fossil indicates that cancer has been affecting humans and their ancestors since the Paleolithic. It is likely that the incidence of malignant bone tumors in past hominids was similar to that of today.
