Woman’s skull discovered in central Italy revealed evidence of surgery from the sixth to the ninth century.

 

Archaeologists found evidence of surgery on medieval woman’s skull :  

A Byzantine-era woman’s skull discovered in central Italy revealed that this middle-aged woman had undergone invasive surgical procedures at least twice.

The skull was unearthed in the Lombard necropolis of Castel Trosino, which served as a burial ground from the sixth to the ninth century. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the site was transformed into a strategic Byzantine stronghold and was home to some of the wealthiest Lombard families.

Excavations at Castel Trosino have yielded lavish burial goods like gold and fine jewelry, but the research authors claim their latest discovery is “the first evidence of a cross-shaped bone modification on a living subject.”

According to the authors, this woman probably suffered from some kind of systemic condition. Periodontal disease was evident in her teeth, with acute abscesses and severe molar wear associated with tooth loss.

From: Archaeology News

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