Trepanation in archaic human remains – characteristic features and diagnostic difficulties

Pavlović, Tamara; Djonić, Danijela; Byard, Roger W.

doi:10.1007/s12024-019-00158-7

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Circular defects in the skull may arise from a variety of traumatic etiologies and may sometimes heal with no sequelae. Causes of circular defects that may be identified in calvarial remains include bullet holes, trephanation or blunt trauma [23]. In the current case a circular punched out, circumscribed defect of the left parietal bone had been caused by the edges of a metal chair leg.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

An unusual patterned injury from homicidal craniocerebral impalement with a metal chair leg

Bodwal

Chauhan

Behera

et al. 2020

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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A 26-year-old young man died shortly after he had suffered craniocerebral impalement from a metal chair leg during an affray at an airport bar. At autopsy a 25 mm diameter circular wound was present in the left parietal region with protruding brain tissue. Death was due to craniocerebral trauma from a penetrating injury to the head. Examination of the chair used in the assault showed a metal chair with smeared blood on the front right leg that matched the blood group of the decedent. The fatal wound had been inflicted by the assailant with the victim leaning forward while kneeling on the floor. The assault had produced an unusual circular patterned defect in the left parietal bone with dimensions corresponding to the chair leg. The location of the defect and the use of a chair leg were two very unusual features in this homicide.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

An unusual patterned injury from homicidal craniocerebral impalement with a metal chair leg

Bodwal

Chauhan

Behera

et al. 2020

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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“…Therefore, the cranial base is deformed by ACD causing platybasia, with an increase in the length of the total cranial base, that is consistent with the findings of other studies. [ 4 14 , 15 ]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is particularly important since it would provide knowledge for the study of maxillofacial orthopedics based on pre-Columbian ancestral knowledge. [ 1 2 3 4 5 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ACD is defined as the modification of the natural shape of the skull through the application of force on the skull during the growth stage. [ 1 2 3 4 ] Although these cranial deformations were able to modify the shape of the skull, it remains unclear whether they induced changes in the facial structures, in particular the base of the cranium, and the nasomaxillary complex and the maxilla itself. [ 6 7 8 9 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cephalometric Characteristics in Skulls with Artificial Deformation in a Pre-Columbian Civilization of the Peruvian Andes (Chavin Civilization 900 B.C. to 200 B.C.)

Pérez-Vargas

Terukina

Soriano

et al. 2021

Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry

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“…Numerous physiological, pathological, or taphonomic phenomena can cause a cranial lacuna (Kaufman et al, 1997;Pavlovic et al, 2019;Verano, 2016). For the St. Cosme cases, application of the criteria proposed by (Verano, 2016) leads to a preferential diagnosis of surgical intervention for the lacunae observed on 163_1, 511_1, 572_3 and 902_1 (Table 2).…”

Section: Differential Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

3D reappraisal of trepanations at St. Cosme priory between the 12th and the 15th centuries, France

Bédécarrats

Miclon

Travers

et al. 2021

International Journal of Paleopathology

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This study aims to place trepanation in a medieval therapeutic context by addressing its medical use in neurological disorders and by testing the existence of particular dietary care for the sick. MaterialsSix cases of trepanation found at the St. Cosme priory (La Riche, France) dated from the 12th-15th centuries. MethodsNeurological health was explored by geometric morphometrics by comparing the six cases to 68 skulls and 67 endocraniums belonging to individuals from the same period and geographical area. Trepanned diet was investigated by carbon and nitrogen isotopes and compared to 49 individuals from the same site. ResultsThe study of shapes suggests a possible pathological state for four subjects. The diet of the trepanned is not different from the rest of the population. ConclusionsThe treatment of neurological disorders emerges as the main therapeutic motivation in the corpus, contrary to the reports from the ancient surgical treatises. A specific diet for the sick is not highlighted. SignificanceGeometric morphometrics is rarely used in paleopathology and the results suggest a potential of this type of analysis in the identification of pathological cases. The results on therapeutic motivations and diet do not fit the descriptions from ancient medical sources. LimitationsThe study of forms did not lead to definitive diagnosis. The isotopic study does not allow us to appreciate all the aspects of the diet. Suggestions for Further ResearchA geometric morphometric study of the skulls and endocraniums of individuals with a known neurological condition would allow a better appreciation of the link between shapes and pathologies.

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Trepanation in archaic human remains – characteristic features and diagnostic difficulties

Cited by 9 publications

References 15 publications

An unusual patterned injury from homicidal craniocerebral impalement with a metal chair leg

An unusual patterned injury from homicidal craniocerebral impalement with a metal chair leg

Cephalometric Characteristics in Skulls with Artificial Deformation in a Pre-Columbian Civilization of the Peruvian Andes (Chavin Civilization 900 B.C. to 200 B.C.)

3D reappraisal of trepanations at St. Cosme priory between the 12th and the 15th centuries, France

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