Artificial cranial deformation in Tiwanaku, Bolivia

Area of Science:

• Archaeology
• Physical Anthropology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Tiwanaku, Bolivia, was a powerful pre-Inca civilization (600-1000 AD) with a stratified social structure.
• Artificial cranial deformation (ACD) was a widespread practice in ancient South America, including the Tiwanaku region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a historical review of artificial cranial deformation (ACD) in Tiwanaku, Bolivia.
• To describe the history, purpose, and implications of ACD from neuroanatomical and cultural perspectives.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on ACD in South America, focusing on the Tiwanaku region.
• Keywords used: ACD, neuroanatomical implications, cultural and social functions, Tiwanaku society, Andean civilization.

Main Results:

• ACD in Tiwanaku delineated social class, caste, lineage, and vocation, aiding in distinguishing warriors from insurgents.
• Two main styles, tabular and annular, were achieved through mechanical apparatus, resulting in various cranial shapes.
• Deformation techniques influenced cranial bone solidification and shape, with potential, though largely unrecorded, cognitive implications.

Conclusions:

• ACD in Tiwanaku was integral to demonstrating group identity, with cranial alterations linked to specific headdresses.
• The practice served to differentiate social identities, including castes and slaves, and mark ethnic differences.
• Potential cognitive implications of ACD were noted but largely unrecorded in the historical context.