A review of the practice of intentional cranial modification in Eurasia during the Migration Period (4th-7th c AD)

摘要

The practice of intentional cranial modification was known in Eurasia since the Bronze Age. It intensified during the Migration Period (4th - 7th c AD) coinciding with the arrival of Huns in the Carpathian basin. The resurgence in the practice has been attributed to the Huns even in regions removed from the Huns in geography and time. As a highly visual symbol, cranial modification clearly played an important role in negotiating social identity. The purpose of this paper is to compare styles of modification in regions across Eurasia to determine the role of cranial modification in conveying different identities.