# @science on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DPfLO83kxBl
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/35423798-science-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ae291d6fb4.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-10-07T00:00:24.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Science 🧬 (@science) — https://gondola.cc/science

## Caption

A study reveals that a 30- to 40-year-old woman from the Mesolithic period was a gracile person with a height of about 1.55 m, which was typical for the era. Significantly, her skeleton lacked the strong muscle attachments, particularly on the lower extremities, that are commonly found in hunter-gatherer remains.⁠
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The woman had several congenital anomalies. At the base of her skull, a small constriction at the edge of the great occipital hole indicates an abnormally developed blood vessel. This corresponds with her first cervical vertebra, which was incompletely formed due to a growth defect, reaching only 40% of its arch. The re-discovery of her second cervical vertebra confirmed researchers' suspicions, as it also showed an anomaly—a protruding bone clasp.⁠
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Researchers hypothesized that this unique combination of defects made a blockage of a blood vessel leading to the brain plausible. It's suggested this could have been caused intentionally by adopting a specific head posture. The health consequences were likely not serious. However, it is conceivable that this blockage could induce nystagmus, an involuntary movement of the eyeballs. This unusual feature might have been perceived as uncanny and, when initiated on purpose, could have reinforced or justified her special role as a shaman within her community.⁠
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Genetic analysis placed her genomic ancestry squarely within the Western European hunter-gatherer group. Furthermore, phenotypic analysis of her genome revealed that the shaman had a relatively dark skin complexion, dark, straight hair, and blue eyes—a combination common among her contemporaries like the individuals from Loschbour (Luxembourg), La Braña (Spain), and Cheddar Man (Britain).⁠
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#archaeology #shaman #baddurrenberg #artifacts #historic #ancient #history #science

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## Tags

historic, history, archaeology, science, baddurrenberg, ancient, shaman, artifacts

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