Researchers from the University of Sydney and Griffith University identified the remains of a man who lived about 31,000 years ago. The discovery revealed scars consistent with an amputation the man had undergone during childhood. The findings were published in Nature.
The skeletal remains belong to a young adult, roughly twenty years old at the time of death, found in a cave on the island of Borneo. This region is renowned for some of the world’s oldest rock art. The left leg appeared notably smaller and stunted, resembling the size of a child, yet the individual was confirmed to be an adult. Examinations showed a cleanly made amputation without signs of infection, suggesting medical intervention rather than accidental trauma. The researchers consider accidental amputation an unlikely explanation given the healing and context.
Additional injuries were noted: a well-healed fracture in the neck and an injury to the collarbone that may have occurred in the same event. The prevailing interpretation is that survival in this harsh environment would have depended on immediate and decisive action, including the removal of the leg to preserve the rest of the body for the long term.
The landscape of Borneo is characterized by rugged terrain and steep cliffs. Accessing the cave required a challenging journey that involved navigating a canoe and traversing difficult terrain, underscoring the endurance of people who managed life with one leg for many years after the procedure. The discovery provides a rare glimpse into ancient medical practices and the resilience of early humans in extreme environments. Cited: Nature.