Dyke–Davidoff–Masson syndrome in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages Armenia—a cause of trepanation?

• Published in: International journal of osteoarchaeology 2018-07, Vol.28 (4), p.448-457
• Main Authors: Khudaverdyan, A.Y., Hovhanesyan, А.А., Engibaryan, A.A., Hobosyan, S.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Archaeology; Armenia; Bronze Age; Dyke–Davidoff–Masson syndrome; Forensic pathology; Iron Age; Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages, trepanation; Morphology; osteoma; porotic hyperostosis
• ISSN: 1047-482X; 1099-1212
• DOI: 10.1002/oa.2663

Intentionally opened skulls are considered to be the most fascinating of palaeopathological findings. This paper regards the discovery of a new trepanated skull dating from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages (1500–1400 BC) found at a burial site of Bardzryal, Armenia. Attention was first paid to trepanation technique, second—the description of methods of trepanations, third—to surgical procedures, and finally, to the cause of trepanation. The remains were examined by standard macromorphological and X‐ray methods of bioarchaeology. Bone nodules resulting from Dyke–Davidoff–Masson syndrome (DDMS) were observed on the endocranial surface of the frontal bone of a female. Regardless of provenance DDMS, which seems to be a possible cause of trepanation in women, is rarely seen in historic populations. Along with DDMS, porotic hyperostosis and osteomas were also observed. This observation constituted the first evidence of DDMS in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age Armenia.