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The intriguing history of the human calvaria: sinister and religious

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Abstract

Introduction

A review of the ancient world finds multiple documentations describing the use of the human calvaria as a drinking implement.

Terminology

This term, which is frequently and incorrectly called the “calvarium,” has a unique history among multiple cultures of the world. For example, the purported site of Jesus’ crucifixion “Calvary” is derived from this term calvaria. The present report explores the derivation, misuse, and history of the human calvaria.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital, 1600 7th Avenue South ACC 400, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs & W. Jerry Oakes

  2. Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs & E. George Salter

  3. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University, St. George’s, Grenada

    Marios Loukas

  4. Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Institute, Tabriz Medical University, Tabriz, Iran

    Mohammadali M. Shoja

  5. Department of Anatomy, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Nihal Apaydin

Authors
  1. R. Shane Tubbs
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  2. Marios Loukas
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  3. Mohammadali M. Shoja
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  4. Nihal Apaydin
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  5. E. George Salter
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  6. W. Jerry Oakes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Shane Tubbs.

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Tubbs, R.S., Loukas, M., Shoja, M.M. et al. The intriguing history of the human calvaria: sinister and religious. Childs Nerv Syst 24, 417–422 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-007-0509-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-007-0509-0

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