Slashdot Mirror
Stone Age Dentists
morleron writes "Scientists have found evidence in Pakistan that the Stone Age had dentists. They used flint drills to remove cavities and attempt other tooth repair. No evidence as to whether or not the patients were conscious during the procedures."
Codeine, a powerful pain reliever is a constituent of Opium. Opium has been known to be used by Neanderthals roughly 40,000 years ago and it's effects were well known in Ancient Greece, Egypt and Mesopotamia. Considering that this is Pakistan, I would imagine that they had supplies of Opium nearby.
They weren't exactly grunting fools 8,000-10,000 years ago.
"Tread softly because you tread on my dreams"
In the past 9000 years, the only real advancement in dentistry appears to be the addition of fillings to the procedure. Otherwise, going to the dentist is still pretty much like having a neolithic barbarian bang on your teeth with rocks.