Archaeologists shed new light on 'modern' medical problem

Archaeologists have helped solve a centuries' old medical mystery which could change the way doctors today view the common condition of prostate stones. An international team of researchers, including experts at Durham University, used neutron beam technology to identify three stone-like objects found during excavations of a prehistoric grave in Central Sudan. They discovered that the mysterious objects were prostate stones - a condition previously thought to be exclusive to the modern era. The find proves that far from being a modern condition, prostate stones also affected prehistoric men, even though their lifestyle and diet were significantly different to our own. The researchers hope their find might now provide medical researchers with the opportunity to learn more about what causes the disease. The findings are published in the journal PLOS One . "First known evidence" Research co-author Dr Tina Jakob , in Durham's Department of Archaeology , said: "Although bladder stones have been discovered at other archaeological sites, this is the first known evidence of severe prostate calcification affecting men as early as 10,000 BC.