Occipital perforations in a late neolithic probable aurochs (Bos primigenius bojanus) cranium from Letchworth,Hertfordshire, UK

An example of ante‐mortem occipital perforations in the cranium of a probable aurochs (Bos primigenius) cow from a late Neolithic archaeological site at Letchworth, Hertfordshire is presented. This is the second reported occurrence thus far of cranial perforations in a wild bovid and lends support to a congenital cause of the condition in archaeological domestic cattle skulls. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the causes of perforations in archaeological domestic cattle skulls: New evidence

An example of ante‐mortem cranial perforations in the skull of a European wisent (Bison bonasus) from Armenia is presented. The implications for reinterpreting the possible causes of this condition in ancient domestic cattle (outlined in a previous paper) are briefly discussed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the Causes of Perforations in Archaeological Domestic Cattle Skulls

We have undertaken a preliminary survey of the occurrence of cranial perforations which have been noted on the posterior portion of archaeological cattle skulls. The interest arose from the authors independent encounter with unusually high frequencies of this condition in assemblages from Bruges and Lincoln and the subsequent search for an explanation. A rapid literature survey and direct contact with other colleagues in the field showed that the phenomenon is widespread in European material and represented throughout a range of time periods and geographical locations. It is also clear that a variety of diverse but untested theories have been proposed by various workers in an attempt to explain the condition. A number of possible aetiological factors are discussed in an attempt to establish the most likely explanations. On the basis of this brief survey, which includes the evaluation of additional archaeological evidence from some of the assemblages, it would appear that parasites, tumours and infection can be ruled out as causal factors. Although not clearly established, it is suggested that a congenital or yoking pressure origin is more likely. If this is the case, then the presence of cranial perforations in domestic cattle may provide important information regarding the temporal and spatial spread of a specific congenital condition or yoking practice. Only a wider survey of both archaeological and modern comparative material (including other bovid species) will enable a full appraisal of the yoking versus congenital hypothesis.     

Serial craniectomies for intracranial infection 5.5 millennia ago

A skull found in a burial cave near Jericho with evidence of craniectomies dating approximately 5500 years ago had signs of frontal sinusitis and intracranial infection. The location of the three craniotomies in the frontal bone of this skull and evidence of the infection bursting from the sinus intracranially suggest that this is the oldest known cranial surgery performed due to symptoms of a medical aetiology : epidural infection.     

Imaging Evaluation of Skull Trepanation Using Radiography and CT

Cranial surgery as practised by the prehistoric and present-day traditional medicine man is the oldest known and one of the highest surgical achievements in the history of medicine. This study examines morbidity and mortality of this ancient surgical procedure by re-examining and reviewing reports of 71 completely trepanned skulls from pre-Columbian Peru by three techniques: gross visual observation and palpation; radiography; and CT. The specimens are located in the San Diego Museum of Man and are part of the Hrdlicka collection. Clear distinction can be made by visual observation between skulls with bone regeneration and those without; that is, between patients who survived long enough to allow bone healing and those who died immediately or within a few days of the operation. 64.8 per cent of skulls had complete healing, 12.7 per cent had partial healing and 22.5 per cent had no evidence of healing. Thus, a post-operative survival rate of 77.5 per cent is noted by gross examination. The meaning of completely trepanned skulls with no evidence of healing is questionable, however, some unhealed skulls may represent post-mortem trepanation, suggesting a lower surgical mortality. Both radiography and CT scan demonstrate with considerable accuracy the presence or absence of new bone formation on trepanned skulls. One skull demonstrated evidence of partial bone healing by CT and radiography but not by our gross examination or by that of some anthropologists. Evidence of osteomyelitis was illustrated by CT scan but not by radiography.