Earliest Case of Cancer Found in 3,000-Year-Old Human Skeleton

Archaeologists have now discovered that complete cases of cancer existed over 3,000 years ago after finding the ancient remains of a human who died from the disease.

Researchers at Durham University in England have examined the skeleton of a young adult male that was discovered in a tomb in Sudan last year and unveiled what is believed to be the oldest proof of cancer in archaeological history. The skeleton, which dates back to 1200 B.C., was found to have metastatic carcinoma.

The skeleton revealed telling shapes of small lesions on the bones that are indicative of soft tissue cancer, the researchers say. The cancer's exact origin is impossible to determine because no other body parts remain besides the bones. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The researchers believe that environmental carcinogens, like smoke from wood fires or infectious diseases caused by parasites, are probably to blame for the cancer. The study's lead author, Michaela Binder, a Ph.D. student in Durham University's Department of Archaeology had more to say about the historical origins of cancer.

"Very little is known about the antiquity, epidemiology and evolution of cancer in past human populations apart from some textual references and a small number of skeletons with signs of cancer," she said in this Durham University news release. "Insights gained from archaeological human remains like these can really help us to understand the evolution and history of modern diseases."

The skeleton discovered in Sudan is estimated to have been between 25-35 years of age before the time of death. The researchers used radiography as well as a scanning electron microscope to obtain clear images of the lesions on the 3,200-year-old bones. They found cancer located on the collarbones, shoulder blades, upper arms, vertebrae, ribs, pelvis, and thigh bones, which is an extraordinary and extensive revelation.

To read more about Durham University's archaeological discovery, visit this Science Daily news release.