We cared for our sick 1.6 million years ago

A WELL-DEVELOPED system of caring for the sick existed 1.6m years ago when hunter-gatherers found methods of treating serious injures and assisting childbirth.

Research by the University of York has set out, for the first time, how healthcare was crucial to the survival of Neanderthals.

The study suggests that some acted as ‘midwives’ during childbirth and others collaborated to ease pain and mend broken limbs.

Researchers looked at the skeletal remains of more than 30 individuals with minor and serious injuries.

They found several episodes of injury and recovery, suggesting that Neanderthals must have had a system of care in order to survive.

Dr Penny Spikins, from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, said: “Neanderthals faced multiple threats to their lives, particularly from large and dangerous animals, but in popular culture Neanderthals have such a brutish and strong image that we haven’t really thought too deeply about their vulnerabilities before now.”

The findings suggest that Neanderthals worked in groups to assist those with broken limbs and help deliver newborns. Dr Spikins said: “The high level of injury and recovery from serious conditions, such as a broken leg, suggests that others must have collaborated in their care and helped not only to ease pain, but to fight for their survival in such a way that they could regain health and actively participate in the group again.”

The research is published in the journal