Thesis supervisor: Zsolt Bereczki
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University of Szeged, Faculty of Science and Informatics, Institute of Biology, Department of Biological Anthropology, 6726 Szeged, Közép fasor 52. Abbreviation of location of studies: SzTE
Description of the research topic:
Cranial modifications (artificial cranial deformations and trepanations) are attempts to intentionally alter the natural head shape of alive individuals. The research targeted to the traces of these traditions plays a highly important role in the investigation of past populations in the Carpathian Basin. These phenomena not only provide data on life histories of certain individuals, but also on medical knowledge, spiritual believes, aesthetic ideas and world view of the community they were living in. On the other hand, transfer, application and changing of these customs present an extraordinary viewpoint concerning the examination of migration, assimilation and cultural transfer.
Hungary and especially the Southern Great Plain is extremely rich in osteological findings of cranial modifications. The primary aim of the projects within this research topic is accurate characterization, description and publication of the internationally significant material in national and foreign scientific forums. Investigation of population movements and the transfer of these customs is also an important research potential, requiring multilateral European and overseas research cooperations.
Required language skills: English Recommended language skills (in Hungarian): Hungarian, German Number of students who can be accepted: 2