Trepanation: Drilling Into the Skull
Trepanation is one of the oldest surgical procedures known to humanity, with skulls dating back 7,000 years bearing round, precise holes. The idea? That drilling into the skull could release evil spirits, relieve headaches, or treat mental illness. Ancient cultures from Peru to Greece practiced it, often without anesthesia, antiseptics, or even a full understanding of brain function.
Surprisingly, some trepanned individuals survived, as evidenced by bone regrowth around the holes. But many died from infection, trauma, or blood loss. During the Renaissance, trepanation made a comeback to treat epilepsy and insanity—proving that bad ideas sometimes die hard. Today, it’s a shocking reminder of how desperation led people to literally lose their heads in the name of health.
