Scientists are currently examining a male skull thought to be decapitated 9,000 years ago in modern day Brazil. The skull was handed over by archeologists who discovered it at their digging site.

Researchers at the British-based Center for Anatomy and Human Identification (CAHID) are trying to figure out how the ancient head was decapitated considering that there were not much tools available at that time.

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Before the discovery of the decapitated skull, the earliest known case of decapitation was thought to have occurred 6,000 years ago in the Americas.

Anthropologist Andre Strauss was working in his excavation site located in Lapa do Santo, Brazil when he found the skull hidden beneath a rock. In addition to the skull, the hands were also recovered. The anthropologist noted that the hands and fingers covered the skull in an elaborate manner.

The British scientists were able to deduce that the skull was largely pulled out and showed evidence of only minor cuts. CAHID spokesperson Professor Sue Black said their findings are based on the skull fractures.

Meanwhile, archeologists are struggling to explain the reason why the man was decapitated.

Decapitation in ancient American civilization are carried out for several reasons including to dosplay military power or offer a sacrifice to the gods.

Based on the scientific findings, the skull belonged to a person native to the area. It is also highly unlikely that the skull was a trophy obtained through battle since the researchers were unable to find any evidence supporting this theory.

The location of the skull also intrigued the investigators since most ancient decapitations occurred in the Andes Mountain regions. This has led to the conclusion that beheading was more widespread in the Americas than originally believed.

Archeologists and medical investigators can only conclude that the skull may have been part of an elaborate ritual. The people who conducted the decapitation largely depended on foraging and hunting for food. Unlike the later civilizations that emerged from the Americas, they did not have much in terms of material things or structures.

The archeologists surmised that the inhabitants of that time used the body of their dead to communicate their beliefs.

Tagsdecapitated skull, center for anatomy and human identification, cahid, lapa do santo, ancient south america, south american civilization, andre strauss, beheading ritual, trophy heads, inca people