Patterns of violence‐related skull trauma in neolithic southern scandinavia

• DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22192
• Publication Date: 2012-11-27T12:18:14Z
• Authors: Linda Fibiger; Torbjörn Ahlström; Pia Bennike; Rick J. Schulting
• Keywords: Interpersonal violence; Danish

This article examines evidence for violence as reflected in skull injuries 378 individuals from Neolithic Denmark and Sweden (3,900-1,700 BC). It is the first large-scale crossregional study of trauma southern Scandinavia, documenting skeletal at a population level. We also investigate widely assumed hypothesis that male-dominated results primarily male fatalities. Considering crude prevalence individual bones allows more comprehensive understanding interpersonal region, which characterized by endemic levels mostly nonlethal affected both men women. Crude reaches 9.4% Swedish 16.9% Danish sample, whereas element-based varies between 6.2% right frontal 0.6% left maxilla, with higher figures sample. Significantly males are healed but perimortem affect females equally. These suggest habitual involvement nonfatal similar risks sexes sustaining fatal injuries. In bias toward front left-side right-side support this scenario differential violence, suggesting gendered differences active engagement conflict. highlights importance studies investigating scale context early agricultural societies, existence varied regional patterns overall injury well violence-related