Experts from a US museum believe it could be one of the oldest examples of advanced surgery. The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma said the skull is reported to have been that of a man who was injured in battle before undergoing surgery to implant a piece of metal in his head to repair a fracture.

  • SonnyVabitch@lemmy.worldEnglish
    87·
    11 months ago

    They discounted the idea because

    Surprising as it may seem, the patient survived the procedure, as evidenced by the fact that bone surrounding it fused together.

    This rarely happens when they pour molten metal on the head, according to medical experts.

    (source: Snopes)

    • EmoDuckEnglish
      21·
      11 months ago

      I am not a medical expert but I concur that having molten metal poured over your head and having signs of healing would have very little correlation

    • poppy@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      11 months ago

      Thanks for the link, it also answered my question about the shape of the skull.

      Yes, this is a real human skull that is thousands of years old. Elongation was achieved through head binding beginning at a very young age. It was typically practiced to convey social status by various cultures.

    • Dave@lemmy.nzEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      Thanks! I wasn’t seriously considering that it may have happened, just reminded me of movies (as I mentioned) and was keen to read more as no source was linked.