A look at Mayan artificial cranial deformation practices: morphological and cultural aspects [RETRACTED]

Abstract

<jats:p>Induced deformation of the cranial vault is one form of permanent alteration of the body that has been performed by human beings from the beginning of history as a way of differentiating from others. These procedures have been observed in different cultures, but were particularly widespread in Mesoamerica. The authors examined and reviewed the historical and anthropological literature of intentional deformation practices in Mayan culture. The Mayans performed different types of cranial deformations and used different techniques and instruments to deform children's heads. The most remarkable morphological alteration is seen in the flattening of the frontal bone. Some archeological investigations link deformation types with specific periods. This article provides a glance at the cultural environment of the Mayans and demonstrates the heterogeneity of this interesting cultural phenomenon, which has changed over time.</jats:p>

Artificially deformed crania from the Hun-Germanic Period (5th–6th century ad) in northeastern Hungary: historical and morphological analysis

“…4,7,17 According to the current state of knowledge, this custom probably appeared independently in different regions of the world. [28][29][30] Artificially deformed skulls dating back to as early as the Late Paleolithic Period have been recorded. 8,9,37 The alteration of head shape, which was widely favored because of the plasticity of the cranium of newborn infants, was performed with the help of a strong pressure exerted on the head from the 1st day of life to approximately 3 years of age.…”

“…5,10,29 From an anthropological point of view, artificial cranial deformation of infants seems to be one of the most interesting human customs, which has been recorded in all continents and in different cultures. Intentionally deformed skulls have been described in written sources from the earliest times of appearance.…”

Knowledge of skull base anatomy and surgical implications of human sacrifice among pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures [RETRACTED]

“…Ancient Mayan dentistry and craniofacial surgery must have been able to treat complex pathologies of the skull base, such as mandibular and maxillary tumors. 1 Considering the level of expertise and specialization among Mayan physicians, along with other practices such as cranial deformation 20 and human sacrifice, 5 it is not baseless to speculate that this civilization might have closed the gap between anatomy and pathology in terms of skull base knowledge, given that there is archeological evidence of successful surgical drainage of maxillary and middle fossa abscesses through trepanation. 19 …”

Antiquity and geographic distribution of cranial modification among the prehistoric groups of Fuego‐Patagonia, Chile

“…Although artificial cranial modification has been identified around the world (see for example Trinkaus, ; Ozbek, ; Logan et al, ; Arnold et al, ; Durband, ; Ayer et al, ; Enchev et al, ; Romero‐Vargas et al, ), this practice was most widespread in South America (Björk and Björk, ; Verano et al, ; Schijman, ; Manríquez et al, ; Torres‐Rouff, ; Nagaoka et al, ). Conquistadors and chroniclers provided the first reports of cranial modification in this region.…”