Archaeologists digging at a Mesoamerican site in Mexico have discovered an unusual, cube-shaped human skull. It is the first evidence that people in this area practiced a unique form of head-shaping, scientifically known as cranial modification, around 1,400 years ago.
Archaeologists have discovered a 1,400-year-old human skull in Mexico that was intentionally shaped into a cube-like form, a practice never before seen in the region. Unlike the typical elongated skulls of Mesoamerica, the Balcón de Montezuma specimen has a flattened top and taller sides. Analysis of bones and teeth confirmed the man was local, indicating his unique head shape was a result of cultural practices, not migration.
Researchers say the shape likely signified cultural identity or social rank, as was common across Mesoamerica. The find suggests the community engaged in unknown cultural exchanges, blending traditions from areas like Veracruz and Maya lands into a distinct local practice. The meaning of the specific “cube” form remains an open question for further study.