Some elongated skulls were initially mistaken for Homo erectus but confirmed as artificially modified Homo sapiens. Australia's Kow Swamp skulls were first thought to be Homo erectus. The conical shape resembles Neanderthal skull structure but to a much greater degree. Similar modifications appear in China's Jilin Province (11 skulls at Hutamuga), on ancient European coins, and among Vikings on Gautland as a rite of passage. This practice followed coastline routes worldwide, suggesting maritime cultural transmission.
Elongated skull shapes across multiple continents may emulate other hominid species
Key facts
- Some elongated skulls were initially mistaken for Homo erectus but later confirmed as artificially modified Homo sapiens
- Cow swamp skulls discovered in Australia in 1967 were first thought to be Homo antecessor
- The conical shape resembles Neanderthal skull structure but to a much greater degree
- Similar elongated skull shapes found in China (Jilin Province, Hutamuga site, 11 skulls)
- European examples show similar modifications on ancient coins depicting royalty
- Vikings on the island of Gautland practiced cranial modification as a rite of passage
- The practice followed coastline routes suggesting maritime cultural transmission
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