Primitive humans performed early forms of surgery using sharpened stone tools as early as 20,000 years ago, as evidenced by a Cro-Magnon cave painting depicting a "witch doctor" dressed in animal skins. While tools were rudimentary, primitive humans displayed technical proficiency in surgeries like amputations. Common primitive surgical procedures included mutilating operations such as circumcision and castration, as well as trephining of the skull, though the purpose of trephining is unclear.

1. Cro-Magnon
Earliest Known Medical Instrument
Greeks are typically accredited with the beginning of medicine. For nearly 600 years, medicine
was taught and practiced not only in Greece, but also in surrounding countries such as Rome and
Alexandria. Greek medicine and surgery grew up side by side as partners. Medicine continued to
develop under the Romans who had gained much of their medical knowledge from the Greeks. So
much so, that Julius Caesar gave Roman citizenship to all freeborn Greek physicians practicing in
Rome. Since ancient times, man has practiced medicine, including surgery, and historians believe
that the first surgeon’s tool was probably a piece of flint stone. Medicine: the art and science of
the prevention and treatment of disease. Magic medicine gave rise to medicine men that probably
represent the first human profession. A Cro-Magnon painting more than 20,000 years old was
found on the wall of a Pyrenean cave and depicted a “witch doctor” dressed in the skin and antlers
of a deer. In general, even when primitive man had only some sharpened stones as his surgical
tools, he displayed an amazing technical proficiency in surgery. There is evidence that
amputations were performed at a very early date. Mutilating operations, such as infibulations,
castration and circumcision were common. However, the most astonishing and widespread
prehistoric surgery was that of skull trephining.
Magic medicine gave rise to medicine men, which probably represent the first human profession.
A Cro-Magnon painting, more than 20,000 years old found on the wall of a Pyrenean cave, depicts
a “witch doctor”, dressed in the skin and antlers of a deer. In general, even when primitive man
had only some sharpened stones as his surgical tools, he displayed an amazing technical
proficiency in surgery. There is evidence that amputations were performed at a very early date.
Mutilating operations, such as infibulations, castration and circumcision were common. However,
the most astonishing and widespread prehistoric surgery was that of skull trephining. The purpose
of trephining is not clear; it was perhaps meant to allow the evil spirits to escape.
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