TREPANATION RESEARCH ON RESIDENTS OF YANGSHAO CULTURE IN ZHENGZHOU AREA
Trepanation is one of the oldest known surgical procedures.Most trepanned skulls unearthed in China are concentrated in the upper Yellow River and Xinjiang region.At the same time,fewer have been found in Zhengzhou region,and the study is relatively weak.This study distinguished trepanation from other cranial perforations and categorized the healing conditions.Through the analysis of 540 individuals excavated from the late Yangshao Culture sites in Gongyi Shuanghuaishu(34.90°N,113.50°E),Xingyang Wanggou(34.83°N,113.4°E),and Zhengzhou Shanggangyang(34.72° N,113.74° E),5 cases of trepanned skulls meeting the defined criteria were identified,and 2 of which showed signs of healing.To compare and analyze trepanations in Zhengzhou area,we reviewed trepanned skulls unearthed in China.We summarized the characteristics of trepanations from four geographical regions:the upper reaches of the Yellow River and Xinjiang,the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River,the Northeast of China,and the south of the Yellow River.The morphologic characteristics of trepanations of the Yangshao culture in Zhengzhou area were discussed,and the method of the trepanation,as well as the purpose of the trepanation,were analyzed.From the results,it is clear that the residents of the late Yangshao culture in Zhengzhou area have mastered trepanation technique.Trepanations in this area have their unique complexities as well as geographical characteristics,which are manifested in the following aspects:smaller size of trepanations,between 6 mm and 15 mm in diameter;regular shapes of the trepanation;fewer methods of the trepanation,diverse but specific distribution locations,poor healing,and complex purposes of the trepanation.
trepanationcranial perforationYangshao culturemedicine of primitive socialtrepanation healing
万方数据
维普
