Posted on 02/03/2015 2:28:29 PM PST by Red Badger
A skull that's more than three and a half millennia old has revealed signs of an early form of brain surgery.
The perforated skull belongs to a mummified woman found in the Xiaohe tomb in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Experts said that the hole, which measures around 2 inches (50mm) in diameter, was most likely an early form of craniotomy.
A craniotomy involves temporarily removing a 'flap' of bone from the skull to give surgeons access to the brain.
The amount of skull removed depends on the type of surgery being performed, and the flap is later replaced using screws.
It may have also been a form of trepanation, which involves the removal of a piece of bone from the skull.
This procedure has been performed since prehistoric times, and cave paintings indicate that ancient people believed the practice would cure epileptic seizures, headaches and mental disorders.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
It does not appear the skull of this particular person healed. It still has a large hole in it...
What does Constance Brennan have to say about this?
Mum’s the word.
When they study these things, the part of the bone that shows no sharp edges is what they look at for ‘healing.’ The bone alone can’t grow back enough to cover a hole that large.
Taita probably did it, as part of his world travels searching for the Fountain of Youth.
Ahhh.
Okay. I understand. The edges heal over leaving a permanent hole.
That’d certainly make bumping your head on a doorjamb an experience.
Kind like going to a barber college for a haircut.................
As the character explained it, though, it really isn't a very difficult procedure. Given the size of the hole in this poor fellow's head, however, I doubt this patient survived.
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