All  

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ Mobile

Ectocranial view of the brain surgery of paleopathological specimen: a) red arrow points to orifice on the mastoid process, and b) surgical preparation dimensions peripheral to trephination.         Source: Anagnostis P. Agelarakis / Adelphi University

Researchers Reveal Early Complex Brain Surgery in Ancient Greece

Print

New research from Adelphi University has revealed the first forensically-assessed archaeological discovery of remains of a group of domineering mounted archer-lancers and their kin of the Eastern Roman Empire from the turbulent ProtoByzantine period, which spanned the fourth to seventh centuries. This has revealed evidence of early brain surgery.

High Status Skeletons

Ten skeletal remains - four women and six men likely of high social standing - were discovered in the Paliokastro site on Thasos island in Greece. Their bones illuminated their physical activities, traumas, and even a complex form of brain surgery.

Modern day Thasos where the skeletal remains with evidence of early complex brain surgery were found. (Balate Dorin / Adobe stock)

Modern day Thasos where the skeletal remains with evidence of early complex brain surgery were found. (Balate Dorin / Adobe stock)

"The burial place and architecture of the funerary monumental church and the construction of the graves is spectacular," said lead researcher and anthropologist Anagnostis Agelarakis, PhD, who added that it indicates the high social standing of the individuals buried there.

The advanced preservation of their remains and the impressive location and architecture of the funerary monumental church where they were buried exhibit their high status in the region.

"According to the skeleto-anatomic features of the individuals, both men and women lived physically demanding lives," said Agelarakis, professor of anthropology in Adelphi's Department of History. "The very serious trauma cases sustained by both males and females had been treated surgically or orthopedically by a very experienced physician/surgeon with great training in trauma care. We believe it to have been a military physician."

As for the brain surgery, Agelarakis suggests that "even despite a grim prognosis, an extensive effort was given to this surgery for this male. So, it's likely that he was a very important individual to the population at Paliokastro."

Complex Brain Surgery

Agelarakis and his colleagues were able to derive medical and surgical data, as well as paleopathological data, on this "extraordinary head and neck surgery and the great efforts of the surgeon." It was determined that the likely cause for the surgical intervention was infection and that the archer died shortly after or during surgery.

Depiction of ancient brain surgery. (Hieronymus Bosch / Public domain)

Depiction of ancient brain surgery. (Hieronymus Bosch / Public domain)

"The surgical operation is the most complex I have ever seen in my 40 years of working with anthropological materials," Agelarakis said. "It is unbelievable that it was carried out, with most complicated preparations for the intervention, and then the surgical operation itself which took place, of course, in a pre-antibiotic era."

The results are described in a new book, "Eastern Roman Mounted Archers and Extraordinary Medico-Surgical Interventions at Paliokastro in Thasos Island during the ProtoByzantine Period: The Historical and Medical History Records and the Archaeo-Anthropological Evidence," by Archaeopress, Access Archaeology.

A Modern Metropolitan University with a Personalized Approach to Higher Learning

Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students' lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success.

Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training, with particular strength in our Core Four--Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness.

Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island's oldest private coeducational university. It serves almost 8,000 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York--just 23 miles from New York City's cultural and internship opportunities--and at dynamic learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.

More than 116,000 Adelphi graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, engaged citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities and the world.

Top image: Ectocranial view of the brain surgery of paleopathological specimen: a) red arrow points to orifice on the mastoid process, and b) surgical preparation dimensions peripheral to trephination.         Source: Anagnostis P. Agelarakis / Adelphi University

The article ‘Adelphi researcher discovers early, complex brain surgery in ancient Greece’ was a press release by Adelphi University and was posted on originally published on Eurekalert.

Source: Agelarakis, Anagnostis P. ‘Eastern Roman Mounted Archers and Extraordinary Medico-Surgical Interventions at Paliokastro in Thasos Island during the ProtoByzantine Period The Historical and Medical History Records and the Archaeo-Anthropological Evidence.’ 2020, Archaeopress. Access online: http://www.archaeopress.com/ArchaeopressShop/Public/download.asp?id=%7BA3ADBD32-B3DD-4A70-8916-54E9E666FC71%7D

 
ancient-origins's picture

Ancient-Origins

This is the Ancient Origins team, and here is our mission: “To inspire open-minded learning about our past for the betterment of our future through the sharing of research, education, and knowledge”.

At Ancient Origins we believe that one of... Read More

Next article