A Healed Arrowhead Injury in a Celtic Elite Burial Near the Heuneburg, Germany
Insights Into Ancient Warfare and Healthcare Practices
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12371015 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Michael Francken (0000-0001-6336-2111, Osteology State Office for the Preservation of Monuments at the Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart Konstanz Germany, corresponding author), Carolin Röding (0000-0001-6319-2001, Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen Tübingen Germany), H Rathmann (0000-0002-7830-4667, Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen Tübingen Germany) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication date | 2025-02-23 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/oa.3395 |
| OpenAlex | W4408305745 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 30 |
Utilizing imaging techniques opens new avenues for diagnosing paleopathological findings in archaeological human skeletal remains. This study presents a case of severe perforating trauma on the left ischial bone of an adult male Celtic elite burial from the late Hallstatt period, discovered within the central chamber of a burial mound near the Heuneburg hilltop settlement in southwest Germany. Despite the gravity of the injury, evidence of complete healing suggests meticulous medical intervention and intensive healthcare, indicative of the elevated social status accorded to elites during this period. Employing computer tomographic scanning, we created a three‐dimensional virtual negative imprint of the lesion and identified it as likely resulting from an arrowhead. Comparative analysis of the imprint with archaeological arrowheads typical for the era and region suggests a probable association with warfare rather than hunting purposes. This case study contributes to our understanding of protohistoric medical treatment practices and warfare techniques prevalent during the Hallstatt period
Ancient history · Archaeology · Bioarchaeology · Celtic languages · Elite · Health care · Political science · Politics · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Law · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |