A skull uncovered during construction work in northwestern Argentina has drawn attention for its unusual shape, offering new insight into how ancient indigenous communities practiced skull shaping as part of their cultural traditions.
The remains, believed to be at least 700 years old, were discovered on May 27 by workers installing a water pipeline in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, capital of Catamarca province. Archaeologists responding to the site found the complete skeleton of a child, estimated to have been between 3 and 4 years old, buried in a fetal position.
The distinctive flattening of the child’s skull, both at the front and back, was immediately recognized as the result of intentional head shaping—an ancient custom found in cultures around the world.
Cristian Sebastián Melián, director of the Provincial Directorate of Anthropology in Catamarca, confirmed that the shape of the skull is a clear example of what experts refer to as “oblique tabular” modification.
This form involves applying gentle pressure to a baby’s head using cloth or padding to create a sloped or flattened appearance. In this case, the sides of the skull appear widened, a common result of this technique.
Archaeological context and clues from nearby artifacts
Nearby excavation pits revealed additional artifacts, including burned llama bones and a ceramic vessel typical of pottery used during the Inca occupation between 1430 and 1530.
However, the child’s grave was found a few feet away with no personal belongings. Pottery fragments in the surrounding soil helped date the burial to a much earlier period, roughly between 1100 and 1300.
the unusual skull of a toddler buried 700 years back is proof of an ancient head-shaping custom in Argentina. In India, parents valued the maintenance of a child's round head; they used a cushion stuffed with mustard seeds. it's uncertain if this tradition persists today. pic.twitter.com/0kGFLMyqgj
— GemsOfINDOLOGY (@GemsOfINDOLOGY) July 3, 2025
No signs of injury or illness were observed on the child’s bones. According to Melián, the skull’s altered shape was purely cultural and not caused by disease or trauma.
Researchers say the practice of head shaping was common in many ancient societies and is not believed to have caused harm. According to Melián, the child’s skull displayed “pronounced cultural cranial alteration of the oblique tabular type,” a clear indication of intentional shaping linked to long-standing traditions.
Global and regional practice of skull shaping
The practice of shaping the skull, also known as cranial modification, has been documented across continents, including South America, Europe, and Asia. Techniques varied, but the goal was often the same: to create a distinct head shape seen as ideal or symbolic within a community.
The Provincial Directorate of Anthropology currently houses more than 100 ancient skulls in its collection. Melián noted that around 90 percent of them display either straight or sloped flattening, further evidence that skull shaping was widely practiced among ancient indigenous peoples living in the region.
The discovery adds to a growing body of research highlighting the diversity and complexity of early cultural practices in South America.
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