Summary of Heather Lynn's Evil Archaeology

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 The practice of trepanning dates back to the Paleolithic era. It is the oldest known surgical procedure, and it is found in just about every part of the world. It is done by drilling a permanent hole in the skull, and it is done to relieve pressure on the brain.

#2 The practice of trepanning is still done today, though it is more commonly done to treat disease or injury. It is still done as a form of surgical exorcism, though some believe it was done to allow the escape of evil spirits.

#3 The practice of skull elongation, which resulted in elongated skulls, was not the only cranial procedure performed in the ancient world. Artificial cranial deformation or modification, which resulted in elongated skulls, was also practiced in Mesoamerican populations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: May 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822523593

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The practice of trepanning dates back to the Paleolithic era. It is the oldest known surgical procedure, and it is found in just about every part of the world. It is done by drilling a permanent hole in the skull, and it is done to relieve pressure on the brain.

#2

The practice of trepanning is still done today, though it is more commonly done to treat disease or injury. It is still done as a form of surgical exorcism, though some believe it was done to allow the escape of evil spirits.

#3

The practice of skull elongation, which resulted in elongated skulls, was not the only cranial procedure performed in the ancient world. Artificial cranial deformation or modification, which resulted in elongated skulls, was also practiced in Mesoamerican populations.

Insights from Chapter 2

#1

The Mesoamericans were not the only people who tied babies' heads down to prevent the loss of their souls or demonic possession. The head has often been a sacred object in the archaeological record.

Insights from Chapter 3

#1

The ancient world also had skull cults, which were common in the Neolithic communities in the territory of modern Turkey and the Levant. The skulls had evidence of trepanation, strange incisions, and ocher marks. There were no signs of healing, indicating that the skull modifications were made shortly after death.

#2

The head was a sacred object that needed to be protected after death, as well as in life. The brain was a relatively new development, and the seat of consciousness.

#3

The idea that consciousness resides in the brain is new, but ancient people understood the role the brain played in cognition. They may have observed the before and after of traumatic brain injury, but they also may have believed that the head is better positioned to receive and transmit spiritual energy.

Insights from Chapter 4

#1

The belief that the spirit world is somewhere in the skies above is shared by a surprising number of ancient people. Man has celestialized his gods in such a way as to connect them with the sun, moon, planets, and stars.

Insights from Chapter 5

#1

The Pawnee, Great Plains tribe, had a highly developed cosmology. Their primary god was named Tirawa, who was the purely spiritual creator of the universe. The gods of Earth were associated with stars that helped average people, while the gods of Heaven were superior to them.

#2

The Skidi