Artificial cranial modification in prehistoric Iran: Evidence from crania and figurines

Figurines have traditionally been investigated in terms of their typology and related function. However, the figurine record may additionally contribute to studies of the body and identity, providing evidence into how the body may have been physically treated or manipulated, such as through examples of artificial cranial modification. We discuss this phenomenon with relation to skeletal evidence from Late Neolithic to Middle Chalcolithic Iran, providing an overview of existing evidence for cranial modification, as well as assessing the role an examination of the figurine record can play, providing further insights into bodily practices and the social implications of cranial modification.