Traceological Study of Postmortem Trepanations on Crania from the Oglakhty Cemetery (the Tashtyk Culture, 2nd-4th century AD)

Archaeological sites of Central Asia contain evidence of the post-mortem skull trepanation. This tradition was also common for the Tashtyk culture population and their burial grounds. All available craniological samples from the Oglakhty cemetery, stored in different museums of Russia, were studied. First sex and age characteristics were determined for all individuals. Second, location on the skull and size of trepanations were recorded. Third, post-mortem trepanations were analyzed using a combination of archaeological traceology and forensic techniques. 29 crania were examined, 21 of them with trepanations. 19 were analyzed using the traceological methods. The majority of trepanations were located in the occipital region with two exceptions only in the temporoparietal region and the parietal part. Special group of the occipital trepanations which occupy the large oval aperture were singled out. We suggest to call them "deep trepanations". The main technique for all studied post-mortem is cutting through, followed by breaking a fragment of the scull in or out. Once a combination of cutting and carving techniques was recorded. All trepanations were carried out using a chisel with a straight blade. The human body might be placed on its stomach. Of special importance is the fact that there are clear traces of smoothing on the edges of some holes which are rather sings of additional manipulations with the heads than just result of removing the brain. The only possible case of antemortem trepanation was made by drilling. Post-mortem Tashtyk trepanations could be technologically related to those of the Tes culture population.