Slepchenko S.M., Poshekhonova O.Ye., Skochina S.N.

On medical knowledge of early medieval population in the Low Tobol basin (after materials of Ustyug-1 burial ground)

The article attempts to show an extent of medical knowledge and level of surgical experience with early medieval population in the Low Tobol basin. In one of the burials from Ustyug-1 burial ground (IV–VI cc. A.D.), referring to the Bakalsky culture, they found remains of a 8–10 year-old child with an intentional skull deformation, a premature obliteration of a sagittal seam and a craniotomy hole on the left parietal bone. The combination indicates at the use of craniotomy aiming at healing or relieving the state of the child probably suffering from lasting headaches, generalized epileptic seizures and mental pathologies. This observation testifies to the existence of considerable medical knowledge, instruments and surgical experience with medieval Siberian healers or shamans.