45,000 years ago, a Neanderthal man experienced a crushing blow to the head that left him partially paralyzed for life, but his bones healed and he lived into his 30s or 40s, something only conceivably possible with the help of his community.

45,000 years ago.

But let’s pretend that 45,000 years later, we “can’t afford” universal healthcare.

https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/fossils/shanidar-1

Shanidar 1

The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program
@HeavenlyPossum As someone who studies both archaeology *and* why our medical system is so absolutely shit, reading posts like these really make me so emotional. There is such a better world that we could create. ty for sharing.