Anat Cell Biol.  2017 Dec;50(4):306-309. 10.5115/acb.2017.50.4.306.

The presence of sharp-edged weapon related cut mark in Joseon skull discovered at the 16th century market district of Old Seoul City ruins in South Korea

• Lee H
• Oh CS
• Hong JH
• Kim J
• Han L
• Park JM
• Shin DH

• KMID: 2399900
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2017.50.4.306

Abstract

A human skull was discovered at the 16th-century drainage channel of market district ruins, one of the busiest streets in the capital of Joseon kingdom. By anthropological examination, we noticed the cut mark at the right occipital part of the cranium. Judging from the wound property, it might have been caused by a strong strike using a sharp-edged weapon. As no periosteal reaction or healing signs were observed at the cut mark, he might have died shortly after the skull wound was made. We speculated that this might have been of a civilian or soldier victim who died in a battle or the decapitated head of prisoner. This is the first report about the discovery of the skull damaged by sharp-edged weapon at the archaeological sites in the capital city of Joseon Kingdom.

Keyword

Skull; Cut mark; Sharp-edged weapon; Joseon kingdom; Old Seoul City; Korea; 16th century

MeSH Terms

Drainage
Head
Humans
Korea*
Military Personnel
Prisoners
Prisons
Seoul*
Skull*
Strikes, Employee
Weapons*
Wounds and Injuries

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Cranium discovered at the archaeological site of the market area ruins in Old Seoul City district. Yellow asterisk indicates the place at the drainage channel where cranium was discovered. (B) Magnified image of skull (indicated by arrow) at drainage channel. (C) The elliptical hole (indicated by arrow) is observed in the cranium.

• 

  Fig. 2 Lateral (A) and posterior (B) view of cranium. Cut mark and elliptical hole is identified in the right side of occipital bone (arrow). (C) Magnified image of the cut mark (solid arrow). The dotted arrow means the possible path through which the sharp-edged weapon cut the cranium.

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