A team of Indonesian and Australian researchers have uncovered the earliest evidence ever of surgical amputation in the Indonesian cave called Liang Tebo.
- The discovery, published in journal Nature, describes the skeletal remains of a young adult found in Liang Tebo in Borneo, who had part of the left lower leg and left foot amputated, probably as a child, at least 31,000 years ago.
- This find pushes back the origin of this complicated surgery by more than 24,000 years.
- After the procedure the person was cared for by their ancient community for years until their death.
- The person survived the surgical procedure, living for at least another six to nine years. The grave itself was excavated in Liang Tebo, in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, a place that has some of the world’s earliest rock art.
- This finding reveals that humans “must have had detailed knowledge of limb anatomy and muscular and vascular systems to expose and negotiate the veins, vessels, and nerves and prevent fatal blood loss and infection’, says researchers.
