Elongated Skulls, DNA and Critical Questions | Brien Foerster Interview

The Study of Antiquity and the Middle Ages

This is the first episode of a long series that we have titled "On the Fringe" where we host controversial guests and as the host play the "Devils Advocate" where we ask critical questions about their work, theories and etc.

In this episode we host Brien Foerster who has starred in Ancient Aliens on the History Channel and we explore the elongated skulls of Paracas Peru, the DNA of these skulls and the controversy surrounding his work and theories.

For those not familiar with the subject elongated skulls are artificial cranial deformation or modification, head flattening, or head binding is a form of body alteration in which the skull of a human being is deformed intentionally. It is done by distorting the normal growth of a child's skull by applying force. Flat shapes, elongated ones (produced by binding between two pieces of wood), rounded ones (binding in cloth), and conical ones are among those chosen or valued in various cultures. Typically, the shape alteration is carried out on an infant, as the skull is most pliable at this time. In a typical case, head binding begins approximately a month after birth and continues for about six months. Many people believe that this involves social status and group belonging.

In this episode we ask what lead him to investigate these skulls?

What criticism has he received based on his work and I ask if his work is "mainstream?"

Was he connected to the DNA tests run on these skulls? Who all was involved? In what condition and environment were these skulls kept and what precautions were taken? Was the Peruvian government involved?

What were the results? What did the Peruvian archaeologist have to say about the findings? Why was his work never published?

Did they really have red hair? How does he know that the hair didn't turn read after death?

Lastly I ask why he thinks archaeologists and historians ignore his work? I pose the question that wouldn't it be more beneficial for them to promote his work if it was factual rather than overlook it and not make a name for themselves?

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