Headaches are a common malady and can occur due to a number of reasons. We know that they can result due to stress, fasting, lack of sleep, sun exposure, allergies or more serious ailments such as high blood pressure and brain tumours.
In the olden days however, headaches were a puzzle to many. It was believed that they were a result of spiritual problems or even demonic activity. Strange and bizarre reasons were cited as their cause and people resorted to extreme measures to cure them.
One of these measures involved drilling a hole into the skull of the patient! This process is called trepanation and was practiced as early as 7,000 years ago. It is considered the earliest form of surgery known to Man and involves cutting or scraping a hole in the human skull. Trepanation was carried out not just to cure headaches but also to treat brain disorders, let out evil spirits and cure insanity.
There is scientific evidence that patients often survived these operations and even came back for more! What is more remarkable is that the patients were not given any anaesthetics and were fully conscious during the operation!
Trephined skulls have been found all over the world in France, Germany, North Africa, New Zealand and South America. In places like Peru, single skulls have been found with multiple holes in them!
Picture Credit : Google
