Cranial modification and trepanation in pre-Hispanic collections from Peru in the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology, Florence, Italy (original) (raw)

Artificial cranial modification (ACM) and trepanation are medical treatments with a long history in many human societies. Here, we present data on ACM and trepanation in pre-Hispanic Peruvian populations from the collections housed at the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology, University of Florence, Italy. The Museum has a rich and important collection of medical-related specimens, including human remains and instruments. Altogether, we investigated the presence of ACM and trepanation in 370 skulls from Peru and associated medical tools. The majority of the osteological remains came from the Lima region and Cuzco. Among the 370 skulls analyzed, 285 skulls showed ACM. The distribution of these modifications was similar in all age classes; no differences between the sexes were found. However, we found differences in the type of ACM. The Lima samples showed the tabular type, while the Cuzco samples showed the annular type of ACM. Trepanation was found in 12 specimens, mainly from Cuzco. Trepanation was achieved using two methods: scraping and circular grooving. Sixteen instruments related to medical processes were described and studied from the ethnological collection. Chisels were found as funerary belongings, thus indicating the importance such tools had for these populations and the association between medical treatments and magical and religious rituals. This evidence confirmed the specialized knowledge and advanced medical practices that pre-Hispanic populations had because most individuals survived the trepanation events.