The practices of ancient civilizations often remain shrouded in mystery. One such mystery is the age-old practice of intentional cranial modification, a custom that has puzzled scholars for generations. Now, new research is shedding light on this enigmatic tradition. The experts report that cranial modification was practiced by the Hirota people of southern Japan during the late Yayoi to Kofun periods, roughly spanning from the 3rd to the 7th century CE.
The study was a collaborative effort between biological anthropologists and archaeologists from Kyushu University and the University of Montana. Their findings, recently published in the journal PLOS ONE, reveal that the Hirota people, inhabitants of the Tanegashima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, were practitioners of cranial modification. This act involves the pressing or binding of a person’s head during their formative years, resulting in a permanent deformation of the skull. This practice, which predates written records, is believed to have been a potent symbol, denoting group affiliations or representing an individual’s social rank.
New Research Sheds Light on Ancient Cranial Modification Practices
The ancient practice of intentional cranial modification has long puzzled scholars. However, new research conducted by biological anthropologists and archaeologists from Kyushu University and the University of Montana is shedding light on this enigmatic tradition. The study reveals that the Hirota people of southern Japan, who lived during the late Yayoi to Kofun periods (3rd to 7th century CE), were practitioners of cranial modification. This custom involves the pressing or binding of a person’s head during their formative years, resulting in a permanent deformation of the skull.
Unraveling the Mystery of the Hirota People
The Hirota people inhabited Tanegashima island in Kagoshima Prefecture, and the Hirota site is a large-scale burial site associated with their civilization. Excavations at the site from 1957 to 1959 and again from 2005 to 2006 revealed remains with cranial deformations characterized by a short head and a flattened back of the skull. The challenge for researchers was to determine whether these alterations were deliberate or unintentional. To investigate, the research team used both traditional and state-of-the-art methods, including 2D imaging and 3D scanning, to analyze the skulls’ outlines and surface details.
