Evidence of ancient health care

A story in today’s NY Times describes mounting evidence of compassion and dedication to caring for the ill among human communities living thousands of years ago. Multiple burials provide evidence of years of care, in some cases it would have likely been around the clock care, for people with disabilities and illnesses. The provision of that care would likely have cost the community dearly in scarce resources. One woman buried on the Arabian Peninsula probably suffering from polio and unable to walk, showed evidence of severe dental disease, unusual for someone of her age. Experts believe she may have been fed many sweet dates to make her happy. It’s nice to know we are hard wired to care for those who need it.