An Unusual Trephined Skull From Michigan

Description:

A number of human skulls taken from the Great Mound of the Rouge River near Detroit in approximately 1875 show signs of artificial antemortem and postmortem perforations. Alex Hrdlicka suggests trephining was carried out for the purpose of removing pieces of bone to be used as fetishes. Other reasons are médico-religious, e.g., to let a bad spirit out or a good spirit in.

People:

American Indian

Location Description:

Michigan MI

Protocol:

UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center Public Access

Community:

UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center

Category:

Anatomy, Surgery

Original Date:

1924

Creator:

Hinsdale, Wb

Language:

English

Rights:

Records indicate that the UNM Health Sciences Library owns a copy of this item, but there may be a need to clear rights with a copyright holder prior to sharing with the public.

Source:

Science News Letter; Hinsdale, WB. An unusual trephined skull from Michigan. Pap Michigan Acad Sci Arts & Letters 1924;4(P1):13-14.

Identifier:

9900767

Subject:

Crania, Mexico, Skulls, Trephining, South America

Type:

Monograph