The first otologic surgery in a skull from El Pend\xf3n site (Reinoso, Northern Spain)

Sonia Díaz-Navarro,Rebeca García-González,Juan Francisco Gibaja-Bao,Jaime Santos-Pérez,Israel Sánchez-Lite,Juan Francisco Pastor-Vázquez,Manuel Rojo-Guerra,Cristina Tejedor-Rodríguez,Héctor Arcusa-Magallón

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-06223-6

Abstract

Archaeological research in the Dolmen of El Pendón (Reinoso, Burgos, Spain) has brought to light the complex biography of a megalithic monument used throughout the 4th millennium cal. BC. The ossuary of this burial holds the bones of nearly a hundred individuals who suffered from diverse pathologies and injuries. This study presents the discovery of a skull with two bilateral perforations on both mastoid bones. These evidences point to a mastoidectomy, a surgical procedure possibly performed to relieve the pain this prehistoric individual may have suffered as a result of otitis media and mastoiditis. The hypothesis of surgical intervention is also supported by the presence of cut marks at the anterior edge of the trepanation made in the left ear. Furthermore, the results of this paper demonstrate the survival of the individual to both interventions. Given the chronology of this dolmen, this find would be the earliest surgical ear intervention in the history of mankind.

Highlights

The archaeological excavation carried out since 2016 at the Dolmen of El Pendón (Fig. 1) have uncovered the complex biography of a megalith that, since its construction, went through several phases of use (Fig. 2, Supplementary Text S1 and Text S2) until its permanent abandonment as a tomb and its transformation into a commemorative monument—with completely different functions to the one it originally had (Supplementary Text S1, Text S2 and Video)
BC, continuing with the usual behavioural pattern of megalithic tombs in the r egion[1], the bodies were diachronically placed inside the megalithic chamber—almost one hundred in this second phase of use. This burial space was transformed into a collective ossuary where only a few anatomical connections were preserved over time, due to the development of ritual practices, such as the disarticulation and repositioning of the skeletal remains, which sought to break the individuality of the corpses buried there (Fig. 2: Phase Pendón II and Supplementary Text S1)
This paper focuses on the finding of a skull from the Dolmen of El Pendón in July 2018

Summary

Introduction

The archaeological excavation carried out since 2016 at the Dolmen of El Pendón (Fig. 1) have uncovered the complex biography of a megalith that, since its construction, went through several phases of use (Fig. 2, Supplementary Text S1 and Text S2) until its permanent abandonment as a tomb and its transformation into a commemorative monument—with completely different functions to the one it originally had (Supplementary Text S1, Text S2 and Video). Its builders conceived a megalithic architecture widespread in the Iberian Peninsula that corresponds to a passage grave typology (Supplementary Fig. S2) It is composed of a funerary enclosure, a chamber formed by large upright orthostats, and an entrance passage of approximately eight metres of length. BC, continuing with the usual behavioural pattern of megalithic tombs in the r egion[1], the bodies were diachronically placed inside the megalithic chamber—almost one hundred in this second phase of use This burial space was transformed into a collective ossuary where only a few anatomical connections were preserved over time, due to the development of ritual practices, such as the disarticulation and repositioning of the skeletal remains, which sought to break the individuality of the corpses buried there (Fig. 2: Phase Pendón II and Supplementary Text S1). Used as a tomb, even though it kept its symbolic value as a territorial reference, ceremonial centre, and a place of community congregation (Supplementary Text S1)

Methods

Results

Conclusion