Archaeologists in China were in for a surprise when they discovered 11 skeletons with cone-shaped skulls in a tomb.
Researchers from Texas A&M University discovered the skeletons at a site in China called Houtaomuga, buried alongside 14 others with normal skulls.
They believe that the skulls were intentionally reshaped, by applying strong pressure to the heads of infants, whose bones are still fairly soft.
The skeletons date back between 12,000 and 5,000 years ago, which indicates they could be the oldest skulls to have been elongated.
While you might think that such a practice would be a form of punishment, surprisingly, this isn’t the case.
Instead, the researchers claim that head modifications were used to signify social status.
For example, the skeleton of a three-year-old boy with a reshaped skull was found buried alongside pottery and other artefacts, suggesting he was from a wealthy family.
Meanwhile, the skeleton of another woman with an elongated skull was adorned with shell ornaments, suggesting she too had a high status.
Modified skulls have been found in many parts of the world in the past, ranging from southeastern Australia to the Americas.
Qian Wang, co-author of the study, said: “It is too early to tell whether intentional cranial modification first emerged in East Asia and spread elsewhere or originated independently in different places.”
