Cranial trepanation and healing process in modern patients—Bioarchaeological and anthropological implications

Partiot, Caroline; Lepetit, Aliénor; Dodré, E; Jenger, Camille; Maureille, Bruno; Liguoro, Dominique; Thomas, Aline

doi:10.1111/joa.13266

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…One possibility is that they were placed in the trephined hole post-operation to reduce the hole’s size and encourage osseous healing. In clinical literature, examples of bone re-insertion (autologous cranioplasty) are well documented, albeit with mixed results as to whether it indeed encourages healing [ 85 ]. The replacement of bone in an empty space essentially acts as a physical scaffold, which is thought to facilitate remodeling after the removal of bone [ 86 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

et al. 2023

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Here we present the paleopathological profiles of two young adult males, identified as brothers through ancient DNA analysis, who were buried together beneath the floor of an elite early Late Bronze Age I (ca. 1550–1450 BC) domestic structure at the urban center of Megiddo (modern Israel). Both individuals displayed uncommon morphological variants related to developmental conditions, and each exhibited extensive bone remodeling consistent with chronic infectious disease. Additionally, one brother had a healed fracture of the nose, as well as a large square piece of bone cut from the frontal bone (cranial trephination). We consider the potential etiologies for the appearance of the skeletal anomalies and lesions. Based on the bioarchaeological context, we propose that a shared epigenetic landscape predisposed the brothers to acquiring an infectious disease and their elite status privileged them enough to endure it. We then contextualize these potential illnesses and disorders with the trephination procedure. The infrequency of trephination in the region indicates that only selected individuals could access such a procedure, and the severity of the pathological lesions suggests the procedure was possibly intended as curative to deteriorating health. Ultimately, both brothers were buried with the same rites as others in their community, thus demonstrating their continued integration in society even after death.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

et al. 2023

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“…The edges of the holes will experience a growth process from a sharp and vertical stage to a smooth and inclined stage. The external edge will expand due to continual bone mass loss, which will eventually form a “funnel‐shaped” feature (Partiot et al, 2020). This process can also explain factors of the morphological formation characteristics in the three cases from the Mapai cemetery, mainly owing to the combined effects of drilling technology and healing mode but not simply due to the scraping technology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trepanation during the late Neolithic Age from the Mapai cemetery in the Gan‐Qing region, northwestern China—A bioarcheological and experimental study

Yang

Sun

et al. 2022

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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New insights in the investigation of trepanations from the Carpathian Basin

Király

Váradi

Kis

et al. 2022

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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The aim of this study is to describe four new cases of trepanation from the Great Hungarian Plain and complement two other previously published cases with new results from the 9th to 16th c. CE. Sex determination and age-at-death estimation were performed using classical macromorphological methods. In certain cases, radiographic imaging, 3D scanning, and radiocarbon dating were also performed. Our cases fit the formerly established understanding of trepanations, with a male majority and signs of trauma as accompanying symptoms. The cause of intervention was mostly therapeutic, i.e., trauma, in most cases. In order to simplify the currently confusing nomenclature in trepanation categories (complete–incomplete vs. surgical–symbolic), we propose the use of “trepanation” exclusively to all forms of intentional, non-violent removals of all three layers of the cranial vault. On the other hand, the phenomena widely known in Eastern Europe as symbolic trepanations should be designated as “cranioglyphs,” referring to all forms of superficial interventions administered to the cranial vault that do not penetrate all three layers of the bone. In case the data are insufficient to properly categorize the phenomenon at hand, one should refrain from it, and simply describe the lesion as intentional cranial intervention. In order to bring spotlight to the wide range of cranial interventions in the early medieval Carpathian Basin, our team is conducting several research projects, in order to contribute to a better understanding of these traditions in the future.

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Cranial trepanation and healing process in modern patients—Bioarchaeological and anthropological implications

Cited by 8 publications

References 66 publications

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

Cranial trephination and infectious disease in the Eastern Mediterranean: The evidence from two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel

Trepanation during the late Neolithic Age from the Mapai cemetery in the Gan‐Qing region, northwestern China—A bioarcheological and experimental study

New insights in the investigation of trepanations from the Carpathian Basin

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