Trepanned skull of giant found in Viking-era mass grave

"The find site was a frontier area between the Saxon kingdom of Mercia and East Anglia, conquered by the Vikings in 870 A.D. so the mass grave may be related to constant armed conflict in this border region in the decades after the Viking invasion. The burial pit contained a mixture of complete articulated skeletons and bones from dismembered body parts, including scattered limbs, a stack of legs and a pile of skulls."

"He was between 17 and 24 years when he died. It was his skull that had the trepanation hole in the side. The elliptical hole is 3cm across and was evenly cut, drill or scraped with a sharp tool. The bone edges were healed, so we know he survived the operation, but the new growth conceals the evidence of what tool was used."

Archaeological excavation on the outskirts of Cambridge uncovered a 9th-century mass grave in a frontier zone between Mercia and East Anglia, conquered by Vikings in 870 A.D. The burial pit held a mixture of complete articulated skeletons and dismembered bones, including scattered limbs, a stack of legs and a pile of skulls. At least four complete skeletons were positioned as if bound before burial, and severed heads and limbs were thrown on top. The assemblage likely represents up to ten individuals, all younger men. One individual stood about 6'5 and was aged 17–24; his skull shows a healed 3cm trepanation hole. Skeletal features suggest possible pituitary-driven excess growth.

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