Ancient civilizations developed surprisingly sophisticated approaches to health. Maya dentists drilled tiny holes into teeth and inserted materials such as jade and pyrite, securing them with cements made from plant based substances. Some of these materials appear to have antibacterial properties, suggesting their dental techniques were more than purely decorative. Elsewhere, ancient Egyptian physicians documented treatments for wounds, burns, eye conditions and other illnesses. In the Andes, surgeons performed trepanation, creating openings in the skull, and archaeological evidence shows that some patients survived long enough for their bones to heal. Ancient Japanese people practiced tooth blackening called ohaguro. Although primarily cultural, the iron based coating could make teeth more resistant to acid and decay. These examples show how ancient medical traditions sometimes produced surprisingly effective practices long before modern science. Want more interesting content like ...