Numerous Incan skulls have been found with multiple holes cut in them, and Tulane University anthropology professor John Verano suspects the practice may have been a form of “ancient aspirin."

Numerous Incan skulls have been found with multiple holes cut in them, and Tulane University anthropology professor John Verano suspects the practice may have been a form of “ancient aspirin,” according to a recent CNN report. 

The cranial procedure is broadly called trepanation, and dates to the fifth century B.C. or earlier in the region around current-day Peru. 

Verano believes the practice was widespread among the Incans in particular because they tended to fight with clubs and slings which were more likely to cause skull fractures than other weapons like swords or arrows. 

However, this medical purpose didn’t necessarily explain the skulls that had several holes in them. 

Based on his research, Verano has stated that “It's possible that they were done to try to relieve headaches or dizziness.” 

While Verano acknowledges that he has no factual evidence to support this hypothesis, he has also found no support to corroborate other theories related to rituals or increasing intelligence.

The anthropologist recently published a book titled “Holes in the Head” after examining more than 800 Peruvian skulls that had undergone trepanation.