A surprising discovery about a mummified head from Bolivia challenges previous assumptions. Once believed to be from an Inca man, it turns out that the head belonged to an individual from a different culture, possibly linked to ancient Aymara traditions. Researchers found signs of ritualistic incisions on the skull, adding depth to its historical significance.
The head, studied extensively and published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, includes mummified skin, facial features, and parts of the neck. It bears a unique conical shape at the top, along with an unfinished trepanation — a process dating back thousands of years where a hole is drilled into the skull. This wasn’t due to injuries but might have served a social or ritualistic purpose.
Claire Brizon, a museologist and art historian, emphasizes the importance of treating these remains as more than just artifacts. She notes, “These remains are the stories of individuals.” The study aims to restore this person’s local history.
Experts in anthropology see such findings as significant. Julia Gresky, a paleopathologist, remarked that it’s rare to find a skull with both cranial deformation and trepanation attempts. These practices highlight ancient societies’ complex beliefs and medical knowledge.
The study also sheds light on the mummified head’s journey to a museum in Switzerland. Collected in the 1870s by a Swiss collector, it was donated to the museum in 1914. Initially labeled as Inca, researchers now agree it’s linked to the Aymara, Indigenous people of the Andes. The head likely came from a “chullpa,” a burial tower common in the region, preserved by the area’s naturally dry climate.
Such research underscores the necessity for ethical approaches in handling human remains. The team used non-invasive techniques, reflecting respect for the deceased, as articulated by lead author Claudine Abegg. Although more invasive methods could yield further details, they choose an approach respectful of ancestral wishes.
As discussions about relics from the past gain momentum, museums should remain open to inquiries about repatriation. While the mummified head currently stays in a collection — not on public display — the conversation is just beginning.
This finding prompts reflection not only on history but also on modern views of identity and ancestry. As we learn more, the past continues to influence the present and shapes our understanding of cultures long gone. For a deeper dive, consider reading the full study here.
