Paper short abstract:

This paper will present the results of a systematic, bio-archaeological analysis of culturally modified archaeological human crania from the Philippines.

Paper long abstract:

Cranial modification is recognised and well documented from many regions in the world. However, whilst clearly identifiable in the archaeological material of the Philippines, the crania themselves have not been studied, in depth, from a bio-archaeological perspective. This paper will present the results of such a study. Archived in the University of San Carlos Museum (USC), Cebu, Philippines, are a number of human crania that display characteristics associated with a process of cultural modification. A new investigation, which included 3D scanning techniques, has revealed previously unrecorded features, such as those associated with pathological change and non-metric traits. From the results, it is evident there is much more to learn from the USC crania not only in terms of the effects of such a practice on cranial morphology, but also on the general health of these particular individuals. This information may then be used to compare and contrast directly with other past populations from around the world whose remains display evidence of this fascinating cultural practice.