Individual centred social‐care approach: Using computer tomography to assess a traumatic brain injury in an Iron Age individual from China

• Published in: International journal of osteoarchaeology Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 99 - 107
• Main Authors: Li, Haijun, He, Letian, Gibbon, Victoria E., Xiao, Xiaoyong, Wang, Bo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-01-2021
• Subjects: Archaeology; bioarchaeology of care; cranial trauma; endocast reconstruction; Forensic anthropology; Iron Age; Tomography; Trauma; Traumatic brain injury; China
• ISSN: 1047-482X; 1099-1212
• DOI: 10.1002/oa.2928

In bioarchaeology, cranial trauma studies generally have focused on the frequency in the population to explore violence within or between society. They focus less on further discussion of the consequences and interactions of the injured individual with the surrounding. In this study, macroscopic observation and computed tomography scans (endocast reconstruction) were used to explore a special cranium in the Sampula site of northwest China. The model of bioarchaeology of care (BoC) was used to further analyse the individual's disability experience, related health care and the broader social meaning of caring behaviour. The results showed that the individual numbered Sampula I M2:103 was an adult male who suffered severe antemortem cranial trauma that led to brain injury. Short‐term health care involving wound treatment and nutritional support, as well as long‐term assistance in social and rehabilitation, was available in the Sampula Iron Age society. Although there were limitations to the analysis, the individual's ability to survive in the Iron Age was a testament to those who cared for him, as well as the level of care and medicinal knowledge in this society. The BoC allowed for a more human‐centred approach to understanding the lives of those in the past, and its application can provide more insight into past societies, cultures, groups and individual identity.