Dental Plaque DNA Shows Neandertals Used 'Aspirin' (IMAGE)

University of Adelaide

Dental Plaque DNA Shows Neandertals Used 'Aspirin'

Caption

El Sidron upper jaw: a dental calculus deposit is visible on the rear molar (right) of this Neandertal. This individual was eating poplar, a source of aspirin, and had also consumed moulded vegetation including Penicillium fungus, source of a natural antibiotic.

Credit

Image credit: Paleoanthropology Group MNCN-CSIC

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