Could it be that the ancient teeth discovered with drill marks but no signs of fillings were drilled to relieve abscesses? On a long holiday weekend years ago, a dentist opened and drained an abscess for me until I could get back home to my regular dentist. It relieved the pain almost instantly.
David Watt Glasgow, Scotland
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.