1. Artificial Cranial Deformation in the Americas
In a Bind
Artificial Cranial Deformation in the Americas
Aaron Fehir

2. INTRODUCTION: WHAT IS ADC?
Cultural Modification of the Skull
Time Intensive and Irreversible
Conveys Social Information
Useful Archaeologically

3. EPIDEMIOLOGY: WHO, WHERE, AND WHEN
Almost Ubiquitous
Temporally and Spatially
Varies Regionally
Affects:
Males and Females
Subadults and Adults
Entire Spectrum of Socioeconomic Status

4. Prevalent Categories and Formative Techniques
Most Prevalent Types of ACD
Tabular Erect
Tabular Oblique
Annular

5. Prevalent Categories and Formative Techniques
Tabular Erect
Flattening of the Occipital
Ubiquitous
Olmec and PreClassical Mayans
Severe
Mild

6. Prevalent Categories and Formative Techniques
Tabular Oblique
Subcategory of Tabular Erect
Multiple Headboards

7. Prevalent Categories and Formative Techniques
Annular
Circumferential Binding
Rope, Bandaging, Compression Bands
Pads, Textiles, Hats
Tiwanku Culture

8. UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
Alters Facial Morphology
Differs for Males and Females
Additionally: Lambdoid Ossicles
Neurological Impact?

9. PROPOSED REASONS Kinship Ethnicity Sex Status Inconclusive
Performed by Family
Connected to Ethnicity and Status
Ethnicity
Headdresses of Andean Culture
Sex
Inconclusive
Atacama Exogamy
Status
Better Grave Goods
Linked to Kinship

10. DIAGNOSIS: INDICATORS AND PROBLEMS
Tiesler’s Metric and Nonmetric Methods
Flattening
Frontal Plane, Frontal Curve, Occlusal Curve and Occlusal Plane
Supernumerary Bones
Lambdoid Ossicles
Occipitomastoid Intrasuturial Bone

11. DIAGNOSIS: INDICATORS AND PROBLEMS
Occipitomastoid
Intrasuturial Bone
Lambdoid
Ossicles
DIAGNOSIS: INDICATORS AND PROBLEMS
Tiesler’s Metric and Nonmetric Methods
Flattening
Frontal Plane, Frontal Curve, Occlusal Curve and Occlusal Plane
Supernumerary Bones
Lambdoid Ossicles
Occipitomastoid Intrasuturial Bone

12. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES
Craniosynostosis
Fetal Position
Breech Head
Crainiotabes; Rickets
Premature Birth

13. CONCLUSION

14. REFERENCES
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Artificial Cranial Modification.” Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains.
Ed. Buikstra J. E. and D. H. Ubelaker. Fayetteville: Arkansas Archaeological Survey,
Goodrich, J. T., and F. C. Ponce de Leon. “Medical and Surgical Practice as Represented in
Cultural Figures from the Pre-Conquest Mesoamerican Territories.” World Neurosurgery 74.1 (2010):81-96.
Hoshower, L. M., et al. “Artificial Cranial Deformation at the Omo M10 Site: A Tiwanaku
Complex from the Moquegua Valley, Peru.” Latin American Antiquity 6.2 (1995):
Jiminez, P., et al “Maxillary Changes and Occlusal Traits in Crania with Artificial
Fronto-Occipital Deformation.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 147 (2012):

15. REFERENCES
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Sutter , R. C “A Bioarchaeological Assessment of Prehistoric Ethnicity Among Early Late
Intermediate Period Populations of the Azapa Valley, Chile.” In Reycraft, R. M.
Us and Them: Archaeology and Ethnicity in the Andes
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