Exploring the Past: The Earliest Recorded Surgical Amputation Was 31,000 Years Ago

A child who lived on the Indonesian island of Borneo around 31,000 years ago underwent the oldest known surgical operation, which was an amputation of their lower left leg. The surgery was conducted by one or more hunter-gatherers who had detailed knowledge of human anatomy and considerable technical skill, which enabled the child to avoid fatal blood loss and infection. The healed bone where the lower leg was amputated indicates that the ancient youth survived for at least six to nine years after the surgery before dying at the age of 19 or 20.

There is no evidence of crushing from an accident or an animal bite at the amputation site, leading the researchers to suspect that an unidentified medical problem led to the operation.

This discovery represents the oldest known amputation, with the previous oldest being a farmer from France whose left forearm was surgically removed nearly 7,000 years ago. In North Africa, surgeries to create skull openings may have occurred as early as 13,000 years ago. It is unknown what type of tool was used in the ancient operation on Borneo or whether the patient was sedated with a plant-based concoction.

Comments

How High Glucose Levels Damage Blood Vessels: Understanding the Mechanisms

Blood vessels play a crucial role in the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues and removing waste products. However, when glucose levels in the bloodstream are chronically high, blood vessels can be damaged in various ways. This damage can lead to a range of complications associated with diabetes, including cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, and kidney damage. In this article, we will explore how high glucose levels can damage blood vessels through processes such as glycation, oxidative stress, and advanced glycation end product (AGE) accumulation. By understanding these mechanisms, we can better appreciate the importance of controlling blood glucose levels to prevent or minimize complications associated with diabetes. The Process of Glycation Glycation is a chemical process that occurs when glucose molecules bind to proteins and lipids in the blood vessel walls. This process is also known as non-enzymatic glycosylation, and it happens naturally in the body to s...

The Fascinating World of Proxima Centauri: 10 Things You May Not Know

1. Proxima Centauri is a red dwarf star located 4.2 light-years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. It is the nearest star to our solar system, and it is a member of the triple star system called Alpha Centauri. One interesting fact about Proxima Centauri is that it is a flare star, meaning it is prone to sudden, dramatic increases in brightness. These flares are caused by the star's intense magnetic activity and can release as much energy as the Sun does over an entire day in just a few seconds. Proxima Centauri is also a low-mass star, with about an eighth of the mass of the Sun. As a result, it is relatively cool and red in color, and it has a much longer lifespan than more massive stars. It is estimated to be over 4 billion years old and is expected to last for another 4 trillion years or more. 2. How long would it take to get to Proxima Centauri? Obviously, if we travelled at the speed of light, it would take around 4.2 years. However this kind of speed is currently ...

The Nutritional Benefits of Liver: Why You Should Consider Adding it to Your Diet

When it comes to nutritious foods, liver might not be the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, many people are hesitant to eat liver due to its strong flavor and reputation as a "gross" or "weird" food. However, liver is actually an incredibly nutritious food source that has been consumed by humans for thousands of years. It's rich in several vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health, including vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, copper, and zinc. The Health Benefits of Liver Liver is a true superfood when it comes to its nutritional profile. Here are just a few of the health benefits of incorporating liver into your diet: High in Vitamin A: Liver is one of the best food sources of vitamin A, which is important for vision, immune function, and skin health. A 3-ounce serving of beef liver contains over 500% of the daily value (DV) for vitamin A! Rich in Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is essential for energy production, red blood ...

CuriositySite.com

Search This Blog