02/14/2026
More than 5,000 years ago, this individual lived with advanced dental infection.
The large hollowed areas in the jaw are not simple cavities. They are chronic abscesses — infections that spread from the tooth root into the surrounding bone.
Over time, the pressure from pus and inflammation slowly destroyed the jaw structure.
Without antibiotics, root canal treatment, or surgical care, an infection like this meant persistent pain, facial swelling, and a serious risk of the bacteria entering the bloodstream. In the ancient world, that could be fatal.
What makes this skull remarkable is not just its age. It shows that severe dental disease is not a modern problem caused by sugar or processed food alone. Oral infections have affected humans for thousands of years.
The difference today is intervention. Early treatment can stop infection before it damages bone or threatens overall health.
This ancient case leaves a clear lesson:
Ignoring tooth infection allows it to progress beyond the tooth — and the consequences can be serious.
