A prehistoric skull (dubbed AC12) from Arene Candide Cave in northwest Italy reveals Europeâs earliest known case of intentional head shapingâdating to roughly 12,500 years ago (Late Upper Paleolithic). Digital 3D reconstruction and morphometric analysis show its elongated form wasnât due to disease or injury, but likely the result of deliberate binding during childhood. This suggests body modification served as a cultural expressionâperhaps of identity or status. The burial context, ...
