Neanderthal Bone Has Evidence of Ancient Cancer

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06/16/23

A Neanderthal fossil has revealed the oldest known evidence of a cancerous tumor in the human fossil record. The rib bone, found at an archaeological site in Croatia is believed to be around 120 thousand years old. A Neanderthal fossil has revealed the oldest known evidence of a cancerous tumor in the human fossil record. The rib bone, found at an archaeological site in Croatia is believed to be around 120 thousand years old. Kat Arney, science information manager at Cancer Research in the United Kingdom said: "Some people think that cancer is only a modern disease, but there's evidence from fossils, bones and mummies that it's actually many thousands of years old. Even though such finds are very rare…it helps to shed light on the complex history of cancer in humans and our ancient relatives.” The bone was dug up over 100 years ago, but recent analysis has shown signs of a fibrous dysplasia tumor. Previously the oldest proof of cancer in humans came from an Egyptian mummy and a Scythian King in Siberia, but the Neanderthal fossil predates that evidence by 100 thousand years. The advancement of research technology has allowed scientists to identify tumors in ancient fossils; so more evidence of cancer in archaeological finds may have been previously overlooked.