Case study: trepanation or injury? An example of an early medieval skull from Płock (Poland)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze a skull found in ossuary material in Płock, dated between the 16th and 19th centuries. The skull was subjected to a comprehensive anthropological analysis due to the number of pathological changes occurring to it. These changes testify to both the diseases experienced by the individual and the acquired bone injuries. The study aimed to find out whether the pathological changes on the skull appeared as a result of the injury or intentional trepanation. The examined skull shows three injuries, of which only one may resemble trepanation processes. Comparative analysis of the skull showed that the observed marks were generated ante-mortem. The presence of compact regenerated bone tissue with a significant thickness attests to this statement. Based on the trauma marks, it was determined that two of them (“A” and “B”) had been struck by a sharp-edged instrument. They do not, however, match any known trepanation techniques. They should be categorized as purposeful injuries that are not trepanations, based on the proportions and shape of the incisions, as well as the comparative study. The “C” trace, when examined and compared to the literature, appears to be an oval depression caused by an impact with a blunt-edged object rather than a healed trepanation mark.