Tag: Paleopathology

Scientific evidence, gathered from bones and ancient DNA, suggests that cancer is arguably the longest known disease, with fossil evidence dating back 1.7 million years in a human ancestor. However, the distinction for the longest known infectious disease to afflict modern humans often falls to tuberculosis, with evidence spanning tens of thousands of years.

While pinpointing the single oldest is a complex challenge for scientists, molecular evidence has traced the tuberculosis bacterium back over 70,000 years. This exploration answers the question, "What is the oldest disease still around?" by examining the most ancient illnesses still affecting humanity today, analyzing archeological and genetic clues to determine their origins.

While infectious diseases like smallpox and influenza have plagued humanity for centuries, modern research into paleopathology and ancient DNA reveals that other conditions, such as cancer and tuberculosis, have a far longer history. Recent studies on hominin fossils have provided surprising evidence for what is the earliest known disease.

Paleopathology, the study of ancient diseases, offers a fascinating window into our distant past, revealing that sickness is not a modern phenomenon. From analyzing ancient human remains and mummified soft tissues, scientists have identified an array of ancient ailments, answering the question: what are the 10 oldest diseases? These findings highlight the surprising longevity of some human health struggles.