Several thousand years ago, on the territory of modern Transnistria in Moldova, there lived a tribe that skillfully drilled holes in the skull. Trepanation was so highly developed here that patients recovered even after several holes in the head.
The first skull of this kind was found in Transnistria three years ago, and recently a second one with two holes in the upper part was found here. Judging by the degree of healing, the patient survived both operations well and lived after them for at least several more years.
Both the first and second skulls were found in burial mounds in the village of Glinoye, Slobodzeya region. Russian archaeologists have been excavating this place for several years.
According to Dr. Sergei Slepchenko of the Novosibirsk Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, most likely the remains belonged to a warrior and the operation was performed using painkillers, most likely made from hemp.
Scientists do not know for what purpose these holes were drilled, according to the most common version, to relieve headaches, treat epilepsy, or "possession of ghosts."
Second skull.
Such skulls with traces of trepanation are usually found very rarely, and two in the same area in three years is incredible luck. This also shows that such operations were very common here.
The last skull found was dated back 4 thousand years (Bronze Age) and belongs to a man from the so-called Ingul catacomb culture. Trepanning was probably done by scraping with a bronze instrument.
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The holes in the skull are not the only thing that surprised archaeologists in the latest find. The remains of this man were also buried in a dismembered state. What kind of ritual it was is anyone's guess.
The remains were buried in dismembered form.
Earthen jugs and small household items were found in the burial together with the remains.