Neanderthals drilled cavities to treat a toothache 59,000 years ago

The world’s first dentist was a Neanderthal, according to a recent study. 59,000 years ago in what’s now southwestern Siberia, a Neanderthal had a toothache. It must have been a doozy because they were desperate enough to sit still while someone drilled into the tooth with a sharp stone tool, removing the infected tissue and ultimately relieving the pain.