Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 98. (Budapest 2006)
Bernert, Zs., Évinger, S. ; Fóthi, E.: New symbolic trephination cases from Hungary
ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGAR1CI Volume 98 Budapest, 2006 pp. 1 77-183. New symbolic trephination cases from Hungary Zs. BERNÉRT, S. ÉVINGER & E. FÓTHI Department of Anthropology, Hungarian National History Museum H-J082 Budapest, Ludovika tér 2, Hungary E-mail: berneri@ant.nhmus.hu, evinger@ant.nhmus.hu, fothi@ant.nhmus.hu Abstract - Hungarian Conquest Period skulls from the Carpathian Basin were examined for symbolic trephinations. From 719 skulls (91 series) a total number of 65 skulls had at least one symbolic trephination. Distribution of this alteration between sexes and among age groups, and shape, size and position of lesions were analysed. With 2 figures and 2 tables. Keywords - Physical anthropology, human skeletal remains, symbolic trephination, Hungarian Conquest Period. INTRODUCTION Trephination is one of the most characteristic attributes of the Conquering Hungarians. Two types of trephination could have been made on a living person: surgical trephination, which involved the removal of a piece of bone from the skull, and symbolic trephination, during which circles or elliptical shapes were scratched into the skull. Our present paper deals with the latter method. Approximately 200 cases of symbolic trephination have been published so far: 160 from the Carpathian Basin and the others from the territories of the river Volga, Caucasus, Northern Pontic Region and Bulgaria (NEMESKÉRI et al. 1960, BARTUCZ 1966, BOEV 1968, JORDANOV et al. 1988, GRYNAEUS 1996). In the Carpathian Basin the custom of symbolic trephination is exclusively linked to the Conquering Hungarians, with the exception of a few cases originating in the late Avar age. However, the chronology of these late Avar findings are questionable. The spread of symbolic trephination in the Carpathian Basin is simultaneous with the diffusion of the Conquering Hungarians. The first cases occurred in the Eastern part of Hungary in the 10th century, when this territory was occupied by the Conquering Hungarians. The emergence of symbolic trephination in Transdanubia also coincides with the occupation of this area by the Hungarians. The practice of symbolic trephination in Hungary disappeared during the 12th century with the strengthening of Christianity (NEMESKÉRI et al. 1960).
