3,000-year-old skeleton riddled with cancer
Cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death, often considered a byproduct of modern living and increased longevity. But a British archaeology PhD student’s discovery of cancer in a 3,000-year-old skeleton in Sudan suggests that the disease has been killing humans since antiquity.
Researchers from Durham University and the British Museum say their discovery of the world’s oldest metastatic cancer in humans will help to provide insight into cancer’s evolution.
This photo shows the skeleton of an adult male excavated from Amara West, in Sudan, which shows signs of metastatic carcinoma.
Read more: 3,000-year-old skeleton found riddled with cancer
Amara West skeleton
Amara West skeleton
Amara West skeleton
Amara West skeleton
Amara West skeleton
Amara West skeleton
Top: The left clavicle of the Amara West skeleton, with pathological lesions indicated by arrows.
Bottom: A radiograph of the same bone, the inset image shows a close-up of a lesion.
Amara West skeleton
Amara West skeleton
Amara West skeleton
Amara West skeleton
Lytic lesions in the first rib.