The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City proudly displays an ancient human skull, thousands of years old, featuring a surgically implanted metal plate.
This individual underwent trepanation—a procedure practiced by many ancient civilizations for various purposes—and survived, as evidenced by bone remodeling.
The metal plate, not cast from molten metal, was likely used to stabilize fractured bones.
While it’s uncertain if anesthesia was employed, historical records indicate the use of natural remedies during surgical procedures in that era.
