[PDF][PDF] Cranial trauma in ancient Egyptians from the Bahriyah oasis, Greco-Roman period

M Erfan, A El-Sawaf, MAT Soliman…�- Research Journal of�…, 2009 - academia.edu
M Erfan, A El-Sawaf, MAT Soliman, AS El-Din, WA Kandeel, R El-Banna, A Azab
Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2009academia.edu
Evidence of skeletal trauma is common in the remains of past populations. The causes of
trauma can have accidental or violent origins. Periods of imperialism may be associated with
a climate of tension resulting in the creation of violent conflicts. The aim of this study is to
determine the cranial trauma rate and pattern among ancient Egyptians from the Bahriyah
Oasis during the Greco-Roman period (332 BC-AD 395). The study also aims to trace the
possible evidence of violent interactions that may have happened during this period. The�…
Abstract
Evidence of skeletal trauma is common in the remains of past populations. The causes of trauma can have accidental or violent origins. Periods of imperialism may be associated with a climate of tension resulting in the creation of violent conflicts. The aim of this study is to determine the cranial trauma rate and pattern among ancient Egyptians from the Bahriyah Oasis during the Greco-Roman period (332 BC-AD 395). The study also aims to trace the possible evidence of violent interactions that may have happened during this period. The material consisted of 160 skulls of adult ancient Egyptians, 92 males and 68 females. They were recovered from Bahriyah Oasis. The results showed that, 31 (19.4%) of 160 crania examined presented with cranial trauma. The rate of trauma was 18.6% in males and 20.6% in females. The parietal bone exhibited the highest prevalence of trauma (65.9%) followed by the frontal bone (27.3%) and the occipital bone (6.8%). Depression fractures accounted for 88.6% of the trauma events, and blade injuries made up 11.7%. The prevalence of cranial trauma observed in this population is significantly higher than what has been reported in other ancient Egyptian populations. The results suggest that interpersonal violence was the most likely cause for the high prevalence of cranial trauma among ancient Egyptians living under the Roman rule. The increase in violent behavior may be the result of the social and political disruption during this period.
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