Strong but not Unbeatable: Two Cases of Healed Severe Skull Trauma in Males Buried in Medieval Mass Graves (Kutná Hora-Sedlec, Czech Republic)

Two cases of healed severe skull trauma, recovered from medieval mass graves in Kutná Hora-Sedlec (Czech Republic), reveal evidence of successful trepanation surgery during the 14th century. This suggests that skilled surgical intervention was practiced in this region during a time marked by historical catastrophes, including famine and the Black Death. Both individuals exhibited remarkable resilience to survive severe cranial injuries and surgical procedures, yet ultimately succumbed to mass infection or famine. The study sheds light on medieval medical practices, particularly the prevalence of trepanation, while also providing insights into the harsh living conditions of this prominent mining region during a period of significant mortality.

Brzobohatá, H., Velímský, F., & Frolík, J. (2021). Strong but not Unbeatable: Two Cases of Healed Severe Skull Trauma in Males Buried in Medieval Mass Graves (Kutná Hora-Sedlec, Czech Republic). Fasciculi Archaeologiae Historicae, 34, 25–37. https://doi.org/10.23858/fah34.2021.002