Traces of 'brain surgery' found on 3,200-year-old skulls in Van

Excavations are continuing at a necropolis site, estimated to date back 3,200 years, which was identified two years ago during surface surveys in the Kaniya Bekan area of the İçimli hamlet in Uzuntekne neighborhood, 34 kilometers from the district center.

The work is being carried out by academics under the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, led by the Van Museum Directorate, and with the scientific consultancy of Dr. Gulan Ayaz, a faculty member in the Department of Archaeology at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University (Van YYÜ).

Excavating the site, referred to as the "Kaniya Bekan Necropolis," with the support of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums and the Van Metropolitan Municipality, the academics identified 3 chamber tombs with stone-built walls and 4 masonry tombs.

Traces of brain surgery (trepanation) were found on 30 of the approximately 400 human skeletons discovered in these tombs.

Ayaz stated that they have been conducting surface surveys in the city center and the Gevaş, Bahçesaray, and Çatak districts since 2021.

Noting that they have opened 7 tombs reflecting the burial traditions of the Iron Age, Ayaz said:

"Three of the tombs are chamber tombs with dromos, and 4 are masonry tombs. We determined that there were numerous burials, that food was left for the deceased in bowls or pots, and that they were buried with ornaments. We also saw dog burials mixed with human skeletons in the tombs. Finding small livestock skeletons at the entrances of the tombs brings to mind the tradition of offering sacrifices. Our work in the area will continue."

Van YYÜ Archaeology Department faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Yılmaz also explained that they have obtained significant anthropological findings during the work, which has been ongoing for 3 years. Stating that they found approximately 30 operated skulls during their research in the 7 tombs identified in the necropolis, Yılmaz provided the following information:

"In ancient times, grooving, cutting, drilling, and scraping methods were used in skull surgeries. We determined that all 4 techniques were used in this necropolis. This is very important for us. There may have been a neurological disease or epidemic related to the brain in the region. The individuals were operated on using 4 methods. 60 percent of those who underwent surgery recovered. This shows that the surgeries were performed very successfully. We can say that the Kaniya Bekan Necropolis is the only place in Turkey where so many skull surgeries have been performed. The necessary importance was given to the patients. We observed that the surgeries were generally performed on the right, left, and back of the skull."

Stating that the bones removed from the tombs will be examined in detail in a laboratory environment, Yılmaz said, "Anthropological analyses will be conducted. Their age and gender will be determined. Later, we will carry out studies on diseases transmitted to the bones. By examining the mouths and teeth, we will reveal how the individuals were fed. We will have studies on the diseases they went through during infancy and childhood. We aim to reach a lot of information."