3,200-Year-Old Skulls With Surgical Evidence Found in Eastern Turkey

Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered an extraordinary find in the necropolis area of Van province’s Catak district: human skulls dating back 3,200 years that show signs of surgical procedures. The discovery, reported by the Anadolu Agency, includes around 400 human skeletons, with 30 of them exhibiting evidence of brain surgery.

Associate Professor Hakan Yilmaz from Van Yuzuncu Yil University’s Archaeology Department described various surgical methods evident on the skulls, such as grooving, cutting, drilling, and scraping. This necropolis is noted for its high incidence of skull surgeries, suggesting advanced medical practices and patient care during that period.

Yilmaz says that detailed laboratory examinations are planned for the bones extracted from the tombs. The excavation project was a collaborative effort between the Van Museum Directorate and Van Yuzuncu Yil University, under the scientific guidance of Gulan Ayaz.

This remarkable discovery sheds light on the surgical skills of ancient civilizations and opens new doors for understanding their medical knowledge and practices.