Perimortem versus postmortem damage: The recent case of Cioclovina 1

Area of Science:

• Paleoanthropology
• Human Paleontology
• Archaeology

Background:

• The Cioclovina 1 cranium, an early Upper Paleolithic specimen, was recently interpreted as evidence of fatal interhuman blunt trauma.
• This interpretation was based on damage to the cranium, suggesting violence during the Pleistocene epoch.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reassess the nature of the damage to the Cioclovina 1 cranium.
• To evaluate the claim of perimortem interhuman blunt trauma.
• To clarify the taphonomic and historical context of the specimen's damage.

Main Methods:

• Visual assessment of the Cioclovina 1 neurocranium and associated fragments.
• Review of discovery records, including original 1940-41 photographs.
• Examination of the cranium's post-discovery history, particularly its involvement during World War II.

Main Results:

• The damage to the Cioclovina 1 cranium was not present at the time of its discovery.
• The observed damage is attributed to the bombing of the University of Bucharest during World War II and subsequent restoration efforts.
• The damage does not support the interpretation of Pleistocene interhuman violence.

Conclusions:

• The Cioclovina 1 cranium does not provide evidence of perimortem trauma.
• Accurate assessment of Pleistocene human trauma requires rigorous paleontological, taphonomic, and historical evaluation of fossil remains.
• Previous interpretations of trauma on this specimen are recontextualized by its post-discovery history.