Artifact
👉 PALEO-PATHOLOGY ARTIFACT FROM BURZAHOM
| SAHI Id: | SAHI-251 |
|---|---|
| Sahi Flag: | NIIMH/SAHI/JK/AT/4300 to 4000 BCE |
| Resource Type: | Paleo-pathology Artifact |
| Source Location: | Village: Burzahom excavation site, District: Srinagar |
| Source State/Province/UT: | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Source Country: | India |
| Source-Site: | This neolithic skeleton found in Burzahom excavation site located about 10 km northeast of Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. |
| Source Current Location: | Burzahom excavation site at Srinagar district. This site management and protection is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. |
| Source Reference: | 1. A.R. Sankhyan., and G.H.J. Weber. Evidence of Surgery in Ancient India; Trepanation at Burzahom (Kashmir) over 4000 Years Ago. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. 2001, 11;375-380. 2. Excavations at Burzahom (1960-71) by R.S. Fonia, Published b |
| Source Script: | |
| Source Language: | |
| Time Period: | 4300 to 4000 BCE |
| History and Significance: | This inscription belonging to the king The Yale-Cambridge Expedition, led by Helmut de Terra and Dr. Thomson Paterson, conducted the first minor excavation at the Burzahom site in 1936. Later T.N. Khazanchi and his colleagues performed thorough research a |
| Material of the Inscription/Sculpture: | Artifact |
| Medical Information: | Paleo-Pathology artifact depicting about practice of Trephination in India. |
| Description: | Trephination in India was discovered from Burzahom, an archaeological site located in Kashmir valley of Jammu and Kashmir dated over 4000 years ago. Seven complete and four incomplete examples of trepanning have been found in human skulls. Trepanning, or trepanation, is a form of cranial surgery believed to have originated in the Neolithic era. This procedure involves drilling a hole in the skull of a living person to treat ailments such as convulsions, headaches, infections, or fractures. One skull discovered at Burzahom shows signs of multiple trepanations, with six successful perforations from eleven attempts over at least four sessions, suggesting the woman was either alive or recently deceased during the procedures. Some researchers argue that the trepanation was performed for ritualistic purposes, such as removing circular skull pieces for offerings or religious practices, while others maintain it was primarily a medical intervention carried out on a living patient. Remarkably, many ancient trepanation cases seem to have been successful, as there is evidence of healing both from the initial injury and the surgical procedure. |
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| Additional Information: | NA |