CNN —Modified skulls found in an ancient burial site in Japan were deliberately reshaped in both men and women as an expression of collective identity.
It’s possible, the researchers suggested, that the Hirota cranial reshaping played a part in their trading success.
For the new study, the scientists 3D-scanned and digitally modeled 19 adult Hirota skulls to conduct more detailed morphological analysis.
Certain indentations were also identified in Hirota skulls but were absent in those of Jomon and Doigahama individuals.
At the Hirota site, each marker indicates where burials were found along with the notes on their sex and approximate age group.
Persons:
”, Noriko Seguchi, James Frances Loftus III, ” Seguchi, Loftus, Seguchi, —, crania
Organizations:
CNN, Faculty of Social, Studies, Kyushu University, Kyushu University Museum
Locations:
Japan, Tanegashima, Asia, Europe, Germany, Croatia, China, Central America, Mexico, Americas