The genetic signature of a shrunken head

Hermon, Dalia; Gafny, Ron; Zamir, Ashira; Hadas, Lia; Faerman, Marina; Bar‐Gal, Gila Kahila

doi:10.1007/s12520-011-0064-1

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The results of autosomal STR profiles from investigated tsantsa were compared to the only available profile obtained from the shrunken head displayed at the “Eretz Israel Museums, Tel-Aviv” and were found to be different [ 12 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite this, some counterfeiters could have produced tsantsas almost identical to those made by the Jivaroan peoples and anatomy or microscopic analysis could fail [ 4 ]. Molecular genetics used in forensic medicine offer an advantage of authentication by DNA analysis, which is increasingly used by museums or private collectors [ 5 , 10 , 12 ]. The authenticity certificates are sometimes important because false or non-ceremonial heads do not have to be a subject of eventual repatriation requested upon museum curators or private owners [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The genetic evidence for human origin of Jivaroan shrunken heads in collections from the Polish museums

et al. 2016

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Advances in forensic identification using molecular genetics are helpful in resolving some historical mysteries. The aim of this study was to confirm the authenticity of shrunken-head artifacts exhibited by two Polish museums. Shrunken heads, known as tsantsas, were headhunting trophies of South American Indians (Jivaroan). A special preparation preserved their hair and facial appearance. However, it was quite common to offer counterfeit shrunken heads of sloths or monkeys to collectors of curiosities. We sampled small skin specimens of four shrunken-head skin from the museum collection from Warsaw and Krakow, Poland. Following genomic DNA isolation, highly polymorphic short tandem repeats were genotyped using a commercial chemistry and DNA sequencing analyzer. Haplogroups of human Y chromosome were identified. We obtained an informative genetic profile of genomic short tandem repeats from all the samples of shrunken heads. Moreover, amplification of amelogenin loci allowed for sex determination. All four studied shrunken heads were of human origin. In two ones, a shared Y-chromosome haplogroup Q characteristic for Indigenous Americans was detected. Another artifact was counterfeited because Y-chromosome haplogroup I2 was found, characteristic for the Southeastern European origin. Commercial genetic methods of identification can be applied successfully in studies on the origin and authenticity of some unusual collection items.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The genetic evidence for human origin of Jivaroan shrunken heads in collections from the Polish museums

et al. 2016

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“…4. Microscopic hair analysis -used to examine the general condition of hair according to the prevalence of any identified diseases, disorders and traumas, hair treatments, sun bleaching, and the presence or damage caused by insects/arachnids or fungus [7,8,9,10,17].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Significant indicators, such as ear morphology, skin texture, microscopic hair structure and DNA have been recognised by anthropologists to distinguish human from animal remains with confidence [2,7,8,9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recently identified features that help to distinguish ceremonial tsantsa from commercial shrunken heads

Houlton

Wilkinson

2016

Journal of Cultural Heritage

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Highlights 65 shrunken human heads were examined using IRR, CT and microscopic hair analysis. Ten new characteristics for distinguishing ceremonial and commercials heads were identified. Commercial heads may be more reliably identified, than ceremonial tsantsa. AbstractThis is an anthropological investigation into a collection of 65 shrunken human heads, to determine if new characteristics can be identified to facilitate the differentiation between ceremonial tsantsa and commercial shrunken heads. Ceremonial tsantsa refers to shrunken heads mummified as war trophies within the ancient traditions and rituals of the Amazonian Shuar, Achuar, Awajún/Aguaruna, Wampís/Huambisa and CandoshiShapra (SAAWC). Commercial shrunken heads are comparatively modern objects constructed specifically for the collector market of the past. Low earning individuals in South and Middle America, outwith the SAAWC culture, who had access to corpses and appropriate medical or taxidermy provisions, produced these for trade purposes. These heads were made in abundance and do not present the same historical value or heritage as ceremonial tsantsa. The relevance of an accurate provenance for heads may directly impact museums, with regard to identifying the authenticity of a specimen and how they should handle any potential requests to return such artefacts to their cultural homes.Complying with current anthropological standards, a total of 6 ceremonial tsantsa and 36 commercial heads were identified. Greater confidence is prescribed to the assignment of commercial heads as their morphological appearance is at odds with the highly standardised presentation of ceremonial tsantsa. Many indicated that the processor had access to modern resources such as gloves and fine suturing equipment, which were not typically available to the SAAWC. Since traders sometimes closely replicating ceremonial tsantsa when shrinking and decorating heads for trade, limited certainty can be prescribed to this category.Minor deviations in ceremonial design resulted in 23 heads being defined as ambiguous in origin.Each head was examined by manual inspection, infrared reflectography (IRR), CT and microscopic hair analysis, with ten new differentiating characteristics identified.

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“…Ideally more sophisticated profiling would have been per-formed. The neutral pH environment maintained during head shrinking preserves nuclear DNA, which has before been successfully extracted from shrunken head skins to confirm their specie, ancestral origin, and chromosomal sex [68][69][70]. Mitochondrial DNA is a more stable alternative for investigating the maternal bloodline, which can be extracted from even aged and degraded hair samples [71,72].…”

Section: Possible Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facial preservation following extreme mummification: Shrunken heads

Houlton

Wilkinson

2018

Forensic Science International

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Shrunken heads are a mummification phenomenon unique to South America. Ceremonial tsantsa are ritually reduced heads from enemy victims of the Shuar, Achuar, Awajún (Aguaruna), Wampís (Huambisa), and Candoshi-Shapra cultures. Commercial shrunken heads are comparatively modern and fraudulently produced for the curio-market, often using stolen bodies from hospital mortuaries and graves. To achieve shrinkage and desiccation, heads undergo skinning, simmering (in water) and drying. Considering the intensive treatments applied, this research aims to identify how the facial structure can alter and impact identification using post-mortem depiction. Sixty-five human shrunken heads were assessed: 6 ceremonial, 36 commercial, and 23 ambiguous. Investigations included manual inspection, multi-detector computerised tomography, infrared reflectography, ultraviolet fluorescence and microscopic hair analysis. The mummification process disfigures the outer face, cheeks, nasal root and bridge form, including brow ridge, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose projection. Melanin depletion, epidermal degeneration, and any applied staining changes the natural skin complexion. Papillary and reticular dermis separation is possible. Normal hair structure (cuticle, cortex, medulla) is retained. Hair appears longer (unless cut) and more profuse following shrinkage. Significant features retained include skin defects, facial creases, hairlines and earlobe form. Hair conditions that only affect living scalps are preserved (e.g. nits, hair casts). Ear and nose cartilage helps to retain some morphological information. Commercial heads appear less distorted than ceremonial tsantsa, often presenting a definable eyebrow shape, vermillion lip shape, lip thickness (if mouth is open), philtrum form, and palpebral slit angle. Facial identification capabilities are considered limited, and only perceived possible for commercial heads.

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The genetic signature of a shrunken head

Cited by 6 publications

References 24 publications

The genetic evidence for human origin of Jivaroan shrunken heads in collections from the Polish museums

The genetic evidence for human origin of Jivaroan shrunken heads in collections from the Polish museums

Recently identified features that help to distinguish ceremonial tsantsa from commercial shrunken heads

Facial preservation following extreme mummification: Shrunken heads

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