"A new study by two American anthropologists now provides evidence that 
the Incas performed trepanation to treat head injuries; that the 
procedure was far more common than was previously thought; and that the 
Incan practitioners of trepanation were highly skilled surgeons with a 
detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the skull.... Of these 411 skulls, 
66 exhibited perforations of varying shape and size. More than half were 
circular, but some were oval or irregularly circular, and one (above) 
was rectangular. The diameters of the circular holes ranged from 
approximately 0.3 - 7.3 cm. In all, 109 holes were observed in the 66 
skulls, and there was one individual with 7 trepanations."

For the entire /Neurophilosophy/ article, see:
http://scienceblogs.com/neurophilosophy/2008/05/prehistoric_peruvian_trepanati.php

Chris Green
York U.
Toronto

---
To make changes to your subscription contact:

Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])

Reply via email to