Oldest amputation discovered in Borneo

The discovery of the skeleton of a young individual, dating back around 31,000 years, shows that modern humans developed sophisticated medical knowledge earlier than previously recorded


BRUNEI
MALAYSIA
KALIMANTAN 
Borneo
INDONESIA
400km 250 miles


Liang Tebo cave: Skeleton of young human aged 19-20, shows third of left lower leg was cut off, probably in childhood

Artist’s impression


Leg amputated
10cm
1 
2
2mm


1 Clean oblique sectioning of both tibia and fibula indicates surgical amputation with use of sharp instrument

2 Restored bone on amputation surfaces demonstrates healing and indicates individual survived procedure to live another 6-9 years

Discovery suggests ‘surgeon(s)’ who amputated limb must have had detailed knowledge of anatomy and vascular system to prevent fatal blood loss and infection

Previous oldest known amputee is Neolithic farmer from France, whose forearm was removed around 7,000 years ago


Source: Nature
Pictures: Jose Garcia (Garciartist) and Griffith University, Nature 
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