A team of archaeologists working in Ecuador recently discovered something unexpected. At a funerary site dating to around 100 B.C. they unearthed the remains of two babies that were buried with protective “helmets” made from the skulls of older children.
It is odd, I know the teeth look larger because of the shrinking of the gums, those do look like molars. I'm not that familiar with the inside of the mouth-skeleton, especially of a toddler.256bits said:From the picture in the link, is that the teeth of the "baby" , or the teeth of the protective skull.
Probably teeth of the infant, so it (baby) is at least, or could be at least, older than 6 months, with that many teeth - looks like molars are also in. Teething can start as early as 3 months - not sure when it ends.
I see four incisors, and one bicuspid/pre-molar; the rest looks like bone fragments, no glossy/enamel finish.Evo said:mouth-skeleton, especially of a toddler.
The discovery of babies buried with helmets made from other children's skulls is significant because it provides evidence of a cultural practice that was likely unique to the community in which it was found. It also raises questions about the beliefs and values of that community and how they treated their deceased infants.
Based on archaeological evidence, it is believed that these helmets were made by carefully removing the top portion of a child's skull and then shaping it into a helmet-like form. The skull would then be fitted with straps or chinstraps to secure it on the head of the baby.
The exact purpose of these helmets is still unknown, but it is believed that they were used for ritual purposes rather than for protection. This is because the helmets were often found in burials and were not practical for everyday use due to their fragile nature.
While this practice is not common, there have been similar findings in other cultures. For example, in ancient Peru, infants were sometimes buried with helmets made from the skulls of other animals. However, the practice of using other children's skulls specifically for helmets is unique to certain regions in the Andes Mountains.
The discovery of these helmets can provide insight into the beliefs and practices of ancient cultures, as well as the treatment of infants in those societies. It also highlights the creativity and ingenuity of these communities in using materials from their environment for practical and symbolic purposes.