Possible cases of scalping from pre‐hispanic highland Peru

Abstract

For years, the pre-Hispanic Chachapoya of Northern Peru have been described as the 'Warriors of the Clouds'.A more detailed look at newly excavated osteological samples from the highland site of Kuelap allows us to better examine the types of traumatic injuries among the Chachapoya. This paper describes an individual with evidence of a recent scalp removal including cut marks encircling the vault and a large area of active inflammatory response due to exposure of the outer table. The degree of osseous response and a small area of healing indicate short-term survival. A second fragmentary skull demonstrates similar features but more advanced healing. The location and patterning of the cut marks are consistent with North American Indian prehistoric and historic cases of scalping. The skulls of these two individuals provide the first osteological evidence of scalp removal from a pre-Hispanic South American Andean context, although it is difficult to determine the motivation whether for therapeutic treatment or trophy taking. These cases, along with other evidence of interpersonal violence and cranial trauma, serve to elucidate the possible volatile nature of cultural contact between this region and lowland Amazonian tribes, where scalps and trophy heads were commonly taken in raids.

Variation in large ectocranial lesions from pre-Columbian Kuelap, Peru

“…Two previously reported individuals from Kuelap (Toyne, 2011b) likely represent scalping, since clear cut marks are associated with the periphery of the affected area. They are included in this study to highlight the variations in lesions and bone response observed.…”

“…However, while scalping has been associated with historic warfare and violence as a means of 'counting' coup or taking trophies, there have been accidental cases (Ortner, 2003;Preis et al, 2007), or other less violent reasons for removing a portion of the scalp that may have had a surgical or therapeutic purpose (Toyne, 2011b). With the overlying scalp removed, the periosteum may be damaged and lead to necrosis of the underlying normal skull tissue (without this protection and vascular supply).…”

“…In a few cases (n = 4) there is a minor increase in porosity or hypervascularity in the affected area. There is one case with extensive porosity of the inner table, likely a case of full vault scalping and osteomyelitic infection (Toyne, 2011b).…”

“…The anatomy of the cranial vault is important when considering how it responds to traumatic injury and the admission and spread Existing research in cranial vault lesions from various regions of South America's central Andes has generally focused on cranial trauma, fracture patterns, and trepanations (Allison and Pezzia, 1976;Andrushko and Verano, 2008;Andrushko and Torres, 2011;Gerszten et al, 1998;Kurin, 2014;Moodie, 1919;Nystrom, 2007;Nystrom and Toyne, 2014;Toyne, 2011b;Tung, 2007;Verano and Andrushko, 2010). In addition, other studies have explored pathological modification resulting from dietary or infectious agents, including vault porotic hyperostosis (Blom et al, 2005;Ortner, 2003;Walker et al, 2009), scurvy (Ortner and Ericksen, 1997), and trepanomatosis (Allison et al, 1982;Klaus and Ortner, 2014;Standen and Arriaza, 2000;Vradenburg, 2001).…”

Tibial surgery in ancient Peru

“…6). While no stone tool drills were recovered from Kuelap, several obsidian blades have been (Narváez Vargas, 2009;Toyne, 2011b). There is also evidence of two short, parallel perimortem cut marks located on the medial malleolus just inferior to the drilled aperture (Detail in Fig.…”