Artificial cranial deformation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Artificial cranial deformation or artificial deformation of the skull is any practice of intentionally deforming the skull of a human being. It is done by distorting the normal growth of a child's skull by applying force. It may also be performed as a rite of passage in adulthood or spiritual maturation, such as phowa.
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[edit] History
Early examples of intentional human cranial deformation predate written history and date back to 45,000 BC in Neanderthal skulls from the Shanidar Cave in Iraq.[1] Extreme practices have seemingly not persisted into this century, but mild forms are still practiced by various groups worldwide.
The earliest written record of cranial deformation dates to 400 BC in Hippocrates’ description of the Macrocephales people who were named for their practice of cranial modification (Gerszten and Gerszten, 1995).
Statues and other depictions of Gautama Buddha often appear to show cranial deformation.
[edit] Methodology
Deformation usually begins just after birth for the next couple of years until the desired shape has been reached or the child rejects the apparatus (Dingwall, 1931; Trinkaus, 1982; Anton and Weinstein, 1999).
[edit] Types
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There is no established classification system of cranial deformations. Many scientists have developed their own classification systems, but none have agreed on a single classification for all forms that are seen (Hoshower et al., 1995).
In Europe and Asia three main types of artificial cranial deformation have been defined by E.V. Zhirov (1941, p.82):
- Round
- Fronto-occipital
- Sagittal.
[edit] Reasons
The reasons for performing cranial deformation are varied.
A prominent hypothesis is that deformation was performed to signify group affiliation (Gerszten and Gerszten, 1995; Hoshower et al., 1995; Tubbs, Salter, and Oaks, 2006).
Or, it may have been done to demonstrate elite status. This may have played a key role in Egyptian and Mayan societies. Queen Nefertiti is often depicted with what may be an elongated skull, as is King Tutankhamen (Gerszten and Gerszten, 1995).
[edit] References
- ^ Trinkaus, Erik (April 1982). "Artificial Cranial Deformation in the in Shanidar 1 and 5 Neandertals". Current Anthropology 23 (2): 198–199. doi:. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2742361. Retrieved on 2008-06-19.
- Trinkaus, Erik (Apr 1982). "Artificial Cranial Deformation in the in Shanidar 1 and 5 Neandertals". Current Anthropology 23 (2): 198-199.
