Scientists have discovered the world’s oldest known case of a
successful human brain surgery after unearthing a 4300 year old skull
from the site of the ancient Harappan Civilization site in India. This
discovery was done by the scientists from the Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) who found evidence pointing this to be the oldest known case
of Trephination in the world meant to treat a skull injury.
Trephination is the process of drilling holes in the damaged skull to remove shattered bits of bone from a fractured skull and clean out the blood that often pools under the skull after a blow to the head.
Around 40 years ago similar skull evidences discovered in nearby
locations had indicated towards trephination being performed during the
times of the ancient Indian Civilization. However, the current discovery
gives a concrete proof about this being a case of a successful brain
surgery. The damages to the skull which looks like was caused by a
strong blow on the head, and the areas of the surgical incursions
performed with healing skull structures clearly show that the person
survived the surgery for a considerable time after the brain operation.
Much older Trephination cases have been found across the world. However, this one clearly points towards a case where the person who underwent the surgery had survived the drilling of his skull.
References
Trephination is the process of drilling holes in the damaged skull to remove shattered bits of bone from a fractured skull and clean out the blood that often pools under the skull after a blow to the head.
The 4,300 year old Skull which underwent brain surgery. Image Courtesy: Current Science
Much older Trephination cases have been found across the world. However, this one clearly points towards a case where the person who underwent the surgery had survived the drilling of his skull.
References
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