title: The plastered skulls from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B site of Yiftahel (Israel)--a computed tomography-based analysis.
abstract: Three plastered skulls, dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B, were found at the site of Yiftahel, in the Lower Galilee (Israel). The skulls underwent refitting and restoration processes, details of which are described herein. All three belong to adults, of which two appear to be males and one appears to be a female. Virtual cross-sections were studied and a density analysis of the plaster was performed using computed tomography scans. These were utilized to yield information regarding the modeling process. Similarities and differences between the Yiftahel and other plastered skulls from the Levant are examined. The possible role of skull plastering within a society undergoing a shift from a hunting-gathering way of life to a food producing strategy is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Slon
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel ; Department of Orthodontics, Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarig
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Israel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hershkovitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Excavations, Surveys and Research, Israel Antiquities Authority, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Hamoudi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalaily
authors.affiliation: Department of Excavations, Surveys and Research, Israel Antiquities Authority, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Ianir
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Milevski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods*; D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D002133:Calcium Sulfate