The Enigma of Cranial Deformation Elongated Skulls of the Ancients

Popular Lost Cities author Childress tackles the enigma of worldwide cranial deformation along with Canadian-Peruvian anthropologist Foerster. In a book filled with over a hundred astonishing photos and a color photo section, Childress and Foerster take us to Peru, Bolivia, Egypt, Malta, China, Mexico and other places in search of strange elongated skulls and other cranial deformation. The puzzle of why diverse ancient people—even on remote Pacific Islands—would use head-binding to create elongated heads is mystifying. Where did they even get this idea? Did some people naturally look this way—with long narrow heads? Were they some sort of elite race that roamed the entire planet? Why do anthropologists rarely talk about cranial deformation and know so little about it? As incredible as it seems, Childress and Foerster discover that cranial deformation was practiced on nearly every continent by special groups who believed they were imitating their highly advanced ancestors. This is a mind-blowing trip into the strange past of humans on planet earth.

Paper back good condition

The authors have done an excellent job in being the first to address this fascinating topic in a book accessible to the public. They investigate these large and deformed skulls found in many areas and cultures around the world, going as far back as Neanderthal practices. Some of these skulls were obviously formed by binding, but why do it? Other skulls are so enormous, the brain pan being nearly twice the size of modern humans, that something else must be the cause. Some skulls even have elements that are not found in human skulls, for example, a different number of plates. Perhaps they came from a different species of human? The authors speculate on several possibilities. It is hard to believe
DNA tests have not been conducted (or perhaps not released). It is also a concern that many of these skulls have been and are being removed from public displays and accessibility for researchers. Something very important is going on here and should be openly studied. The book contains many helpful illustrations and photographs and is a good read.
UPDATE: February 2014 - Recent DNA analysis has shown that DNA from these skulls is unlike anything yet discovered and may not be human, as we know it. These skulls may turn out to be one of the most important discoveries ever made.