The surgical practice of making a hole or opening in one's own skull, historically performed by some cultures for spiritual or medical reasons.
From auto- (self) + trepanation (from French trépaner, ultimately from Greek trypan, to bore). Describes self-performed skull surgery, a practice documented in ancient civilizations.
Archaeological evidence shows Neolithic people performed self-trepanation thousands of years ago—and remarkably, many skulls show healing, suggesting patients survived and possibly believed it cured headaches or released evil spirits.
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