Trepanation and (ritual?) perimortem actions in the Neolithic period at Grotta Patrizi (Lazio, Italy)

Bibliographic Data

ID4685800
AuthorsAurélie Zemour (0000-0001-7555-3011, LabEx Sciences Archéologiques de Bordeaux Université Bordeaux Montaigne, Institut Ausonius‐UMR 5607 8 Esplanade des Antilles Pessac Cedex 33607 France, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume30
Issue1
Pages80-89
Publication date2020-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.2834
OpenAlexW2985783767
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited12

Grotta Patrizi (Cerveteri, Roma, Lazio) discovered by Patrizi in 1933 is a vast karst network. Excavation by Radmilli revealed an individual burial reliably attributed to the Ceramica a Linee Incise group that contributed to the Neolithization of central and Tyrrhenian Italy around 5000 cal BC. The remains of the individual bore signs of numerous pathological conditions and of trepanation. Expanding on previous studies, a stereomicroscopic examination of the trepanation site suggests new interpretations of the bone changes. This latest analysis confirms the hypothesis that the individual survived an initial complete trepanation, and it specifies the nature and form of the operator's hand movements. A repeat intervention was apparently made during the perimortem period. It can be hypothesized that this intervention was performed after the death of the individual and possibly on the severed head of the deceased, as an integral part of the funerary treatment. If so, this would be the earliest evidence of the practice of ritual trepanation in this chrono-cultural context

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Bioarchaeology · Context (archaeology · Late period · Paleopathology · Period (music · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology

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