Surviving (but not thriving) after cranial vault trauma: A case study from Transylvania

Objective: To link an antemortem cranial injury on the left parietal bone with potential neurocognitive consequences. Materials: The skeleton of a male individual from a Székely archaeological site in Transylvania was examined. The skeleton was radiocarbon dated to Cal AD 1450 and AD 1640 and presented a well-healed antemortem penetrating cranial injury on the left parietal bone. Methods: Macroscopic and radiographic analyses were conducted and the cranium was also archived digitally with a Faro FreeStyle3D scanner. In addition, well-known literature from neuroscience was synthesized in order to better understand the likely neurological consequences of the injury. Results: The literature suggests that tasks of attention and working memory, sensory processing, language processing, and vision are affected when the parietal lobe of the brain is injured. Conclusions: Burial 195 did not likely return to a ‘normal’ life after he survived the cranial injury. Significance: This study demonstrates that bioarcheological interpretations involving antemortem cranial injuries can be enhanced by collaboration with neuroscientists. Bioarcheological interpretations are improved when the consequences of soft tissue injuries are understood. Limitations: This study was limited by a lack of historical documents relevant to the region, time period, and specific case study. In addition, interpretations are cautionary because brain functioning cannot be assessed in vivo in the absence of life. Suggestions for further research: Bioarcheologists who study antemortem cranial injuries should continue to collaborate with neuroscientists.