Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22191
Title: Some aspects of the ancient human past and trepanation of the skull
Authors: Boffa, Charles J.
Keywords: Prehistoric peoples -- Malta
Trephining -- History
Skull -- Surgery
Traditional medicine -- Malta
Issue Date: 2003-12
Publisher: Malta College of Family Doctors
Citation: Boffa, C. J. (2003). Some aspects of the ancient human past and trepanation of the skull. The Family Physician : It-Tabib tal-Familja, 24, 13-17.
Abstract: When tomorrow's historians chronicle the 20th century, they will almost certainly highlight Mankind's increasing consciousness of Life and advances in medicine and surgery. If Medicine can be defined as the conscious attempt to fight disease and alleviate suffering, then it is old as human consciousness itself. Not infrequently the human ancient past is not clear and shrouded in the mists of antiquity. However in the light of research, some evidence from palaeontology shows that early Man did try to lessen suffering and alleviate pain. Survival of the fittest went on in all parts of the world, including our Islands. Infant mortality was indeed very high. In studying the past, we are given within limits an opportunity of correlating some aspects of Life and palaeontology. To a great extent, it was the success of simple tools that started the whole trend of the ascent of Man and led over the ages, to the civilizations which gradually went forward. Our ancestors were not fossils, they were striving creatures with the will to live. What evolved very slowly was a pattern of life - exploratory and vigorous. More tools, hunting, selection and survival of the fittest and the environment produced ancient Man of the genus Homo, perhaps half a million years, or so ago.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/22191
Appears in Collections:The Family Physician : It-Tabib tal-Familja, Issue 24
The Family Physician : It-Tabib tal-Familja, Issue 24

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