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.

Amara West skeleton

A close-up view of a lytic lesion in the thoracic vertebra of the Amara West skeleton.

Amara West skeleton

Images of taphonomic and pathological lesions in the bones.

Amara West skeleton

A map of modern Sudan shows the location of the archaeological site where the skeleton was discovered.

Amara West skeleton

The Amara West skeleton is seen in its original burial position.

Amara West skeleton

Dark areas indicate areas of the skeleton that were fully preserved, while light areas indicate fragmented areas. Cross-hatched areas are the bones affected by lytic lesions.