The Skull of a Medieval Martyr Used for Medicinal Powders

The bones of 800 martyrs on display at the Otranto Cathedral
Image credit: Laurent via Wikipedia. 

In 1480 Ottoman Turks besieged the Italian village of Otranto, killing all men over 50, and killing or enslaving women and children under 15. The 800 surviving men were given a choice to either convert to Islam or die. They chose death. In 1771 their bodies were exhumed, moved to the cathedral, and beatified. Pope Francis canonized the Otranto martyrs in May 2013.

Five large display cases  in the Cathedral Of Otranto contain the bones of the martyrs. In one of the lower rows of the central window is a peculiar skull that faces away exposing 16 mysterious round holes in the cranial vault. Researchers from the University of Pisa have now revealed what they believe to be the origin of the holes:

The researchers argue that a trephine with a semi-lunar blade or rounded bit was used. According to Gino Fornaciari, professor of history of medicine and paleopathology at the University of Pisa, a trephine of this shape would produce only bone powder. If this is true then the Otranto skull could support historical accounts of corpse medicine, a type of remedy that was used to treat nosebleeds, paralysis, strokes, and epilepsy. Corpse medicine is pretty much as gruesome as it sounds – remedies made from bones, organs, and blood harvested from dead bodies. The body parts from saints or those who died a violent death were the most valuable and thought to be the most effective.

Read more: Strange Remains