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Curated by: NewYorkGazette.com Est. 1725August 16, 20260

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Historical mind surgical procedure: Viking-era cranium reveals early medical intervention

Curated by: NewYorkGazette.com Est. 1725August 16, 20260

Archaeologists uncovered a Viking-era skull (circa 9th century) in Cambridgeshire with a meticulously drilled 3-centimeter hole—evidence of trepanation, an early surgical procedure to relieve severe headaches or neurological conditions, likely caused by a pituitary tumor that also led to the man’s extraordinary height (6’5″).

Bone regrowth around the trepanation site confirms the young man (aged 17–24) survived the procedure, highlighting advanced medieval medical knowledge despite its brutal context.

The remains were found in a mass burial with dismembered skeletons, some tied or beheaded, suggesting execution, ritual violence or Viking-Saxon conflict during a turbulent period.

Archaeology students described the excavation as sobering, noting the victims’ suffering and the importance of restoring their identities.

DNA and isotopic analysis will determine if the men were Vikings or Saxons, offering insights into migration, health and societal strife in early medieval Britain.

A remarkable archaeological discovery in Cambridgeshire has unveiled evidence of one of the earliest known surgical procedures—trepanation—performed on a Viking-era man nearly 1,200 years ago.

The skull, found in a mass grave at the Wandlebury Iron Age hill fort, bears a carefully drilled hole, suggesting early attempts at relieving severe neurological conditions.

A giant among men: The patient behind the procedure

The skeletal remains belong to a young man between 17 and 24 years old, standing an astonishing 6 feet 5 inches tall—far above the average male height of 5 feet 6 inches during the 9th century. Researchers believe his extraordinary stature may have been caused by a pituitary gland tumor, leading to excessive growth hormone production.

Dr. Trish Biers, curator of the Duckworth Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, explained: “The individual may have had a tumor that affected their pituitary gland and caused an excess of growth hormones. We can see this in the unique characteristics in the long shafts of their limb bones and elsewhere on the skeleton.”

Such a condition would have increased intracranial pressure, resulting in debilitating headaches—a symptom that may have prompted the trepanation procedure.

Trepanation: An ancient neurosurgical technique

The skull features a 3-centimeter oval hole, meticulously bored while the man was still alive. Trepanation, an ancient surgical practice, involved removing a portion of the skull to alleviate pressure, migraines or seizures.

Evidence suggests the patient survived the operation, as the bone shows signs of healing before his death.

As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, trepanation (or trephination), one of the oldest known surgical procedures, involves drilling or cutting holes into the human skull. Historically, it was practiced for medical, spiritual and ritualistic purposes, with evidence dating back over 7,000 years across cultures from ancient Peru to Neolithic Europe. Unlike modern neurosurgery, which focuses on trauma relief or tumor removal, ancient trepanation often addressed head injuries, epilepsy or perceived “evil spirits” trapped within the cranium.

Biers noted: “Such a condition in the brain would have led to increased pressure in the skull, causing headaches that the trepanning may have been an attempt to alleviate. Not uncommon with head trauma today.”

This discovery highlights the advanced medical knowledge of early medieval societies, demonstrating that surgical intervention was attempted long before modern medicine.

A grisly burial: Evidence of violence and execution

The mass grave presents a chilling scene—a mix of complete skeletons and dismembered remains, including a “stack of legs” and skulls without accompanying bodies. Four skeletons were found in positions suggesting they had been tied up, while others appeared to have been beheaded or displayed as trophies before burial.

Oscar Aldred of the Cambridge Archaeological Unit theorized: “Those buried could have been recipients of corporal punishment, and that may be connected to Wandlebury as a sacred or well-known meeting place. It may be that some of the disarticulated body parts had previously been displayed as trophies and were then gathered up and interred with the executed or otherwise slaughtered individuals.”

The grave likely dates to the 9th century, a turbulent period when Viking forces clashed with Saxon kingdoms. The site may represent victims of battle, execution or ritualized violence.

A sobering connection to the past

For archaeology students involved in the excavation, uncovering these remains was a haunting experience. Grace Grandfield, a student from York, reflected: “It was sobering to uncover individuals similar in age to me and to realize the extent of the suffering that had taken place.”

Olivia Courtney, a third-year student from Bath, added: “It was incredibly rewarding to be active in the returning of identity to these individuals, especially considering the brutal nature of their final moments.”

A glimpse into early medicine and conflict

This discovery offers a rare glimpse into both medical innovation and societal violence in the Viking Age. The trepanned skull stands as a testament to early surgical attempts to alleviate suffering, while the mass grave reveals the brutal realities of 9th-century life.

As archaeologists continue to analyze the remains, this find reinforces the enduring truth: humanity has long sought to heal—even as it has inflicted wounds.

Watch the video below about humans being taught to do brain surgery 11,000 years ago.

This video is from the Evolutionary Energy Arts channel on Brighteon.com.

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The Longing That Retains Me Firm

Curated by: NewYorkGazette.com Est. 1725August 16, 20260

Practical Lessons, Profound Insights

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Curated by: NewYorkGazette.com Est. 1725August 16, 20260

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Day by day Legume Consumption Linked to Decrease Ldl cholesterol, Blood Sugar in 24-Trial Evaluate

Curated by: NewYorkGazette.com Est. 1725August 16, 20260

A meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Otago found that adding roughly half a cup of beans or other legumes to daily meals was associated with lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar levels. The review pooled 24 randomized controlled trials with 1,938 adult participants, according to the research team. Participants who added legumes, close to 86 grams a day, saw total cholesterol drop 0.23 mmol/L, LDL cholesterol drop 0.16 mmol/L, and fasting blood sugar drop 0.18 mmol/L compared with control groups, the study reported.

The trials compared diets that included legumes with control diets that did not, according to the report. The review is among the largest pooled samples for legume research, the research team said. Earlier meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials also found that non-soy legume consumption lowers cholesterol, according to research cited in “How Not to Diet” [1].

The Findings: Moderate Reductions in Three Lab Measures

The reductions in LDL cholesterol generally appeared within six to twelve weeks, according to the report, a timeline similar to that observed with statin use in clinical trials. Researchers assigned a GRADE rating of moderate certainty to the results, saying the evidence was unlikely to be overturned by future studies. The rating was based on pooled data across all 24 trials, the report stated.

The review’s lead author said, “The LDL reduction is modest, but at a population level it could translate into fewer cardiovascular events.” The report described the change as small on an individual level but noted that even modest shifts can matter at the population level. Fasting blood sugar reductions were included in the same moderate-certainty rating, according to the report.

Why Legumes May Affect Testing Results

A half-cup serving of cooked legumes contains roughly six to eight grams of fiber, according to nutrition reference data [2]. Dietary fiber has been linked to digestive health and regularity in reviews of fiber research [3]. Fiber-rich foods are also relevant to glucose management because carbohydrate type and meal composition affect blood sugar response, according to a registered dietitian cited in a report on carbohydrate sources [4].

Legumes also provide magnesium, according to an article on magnesium-rich foods [5]. Magnesium is an essential mineral for the body, and low intake is common, the same report stated. Several legume varieties are described as nutrient-dense in reports on traditional staples such as mung beans [6].

The pooled trial data did not isolate which legume component produced the changes in cholesterol or glucose, the authors reported. The review’s authors noted that legumes are consumed as whole foods, so the effects may reflect the combination of fiber, minerals, and plant protein rather than a single compound.

Practical Dietary Swaps and Recommendations

Researchers recommended simple substitutions, such as replacing white rice or dinner rolls with black beans, lentils, or chickpeas at least four nights per week, according to the report. The recommendation uses a half-cup portion, the amount tested in the pooled trials. Small swaps of this kind can add legumes without increasing the total amount of food eaten, the report said.

According to the report, soaking dry beans overnight and using a splash of apple cider vinegar in the soaking water may reduce cooking time and lower gastrointestinal discomfort for new consumers. Split peas and lentils cook more quickly than larger beans, the report noted. Research on legume processing has examined how soaking and cooking affect the nutrient content of beans [7].

The report suggested that variety across legume types may offer broader nutritional benefits, and that combining beans with olive oil, walnuts, and leafy greens could support cardiovascular health. Research on plant-based diets has found that replacing animal fats with plant fats reduces LDL cholesterol, according to a book on vegetarian nutrition [8]. Foods such as pumpkin seeds and avocado, which supply magnesium and potassium, can accompany legume-based meals, the report said.

Context and Caveats

The review did not directly measure liver fat, so it remains unclear whether improved cholesterol and blood sugar numbers correspond to changes in liver health, the authors reported. Cholesterol and blood sugar values track closely with liver fat, the report noted, but the trials did not test that relationship directly.

The authors emphasized that legumes should complement prescribed treatments, not replace them, and that individuals should consult clinicians before changing their diets, according to the report. A dietitian not involved in the review said, “These findings support dietary change as an adjunct, not an alternative, to medication.”

The review’s results add to a food-as-medicine movement that has gained mainstream momentum in medical institutions, according to a separate report [9]. That movement emphasizes dietary changes as a component of prevention and treatment, the report stated.

References

Michael Greger MD FACLM. “How Not to Diet”.
Whitney Eleanor Noss. “Understanding Nutrition”.
GreenMedInfo.com. “9 Reasons to Eat More Fiber”.
Coco Somers. “Ten Carbohydrate Sources Identified for Blood Sugar Management”. NaturalNews.com. April 7, 2026.
NaturalNews.com. “Magnesium rich foods and why you need them”. July 31, 2024.
NaturalNews.com. “Mung beans: An ancient superfood making a modern comeback”. November 10, 2025.
“Influence of soaking and cooking on the thiamin, riboflavin and niacin contents of legumes”. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2003.
Donald R. Hall. “The vegetarian advantage live longer healthier and happier”.
NaturalNews.com. “Food as medicine movement gains traction to combat chronic disease crisis”. February 3, 2026.

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Trump didn’t get his victory over Iran and the U.S. is out of long-range munitions

Curated by: NewYorkGazette.com Est. 1725August 15, 20260

Key points:

The U.S. war with Iran was justified on a fabricated narrative of an “imminent nuclear threat,” despite counterintelligence confirming Iran’s program never posed such a danger.
Military resources, including advanced missiles and air defenses, have been rapidly depleted, with no tangible gains in security or deterrence.
The war’s strategic objectives—destroying Iran’s nuclear program, degrading proxies, and crippling naval forces—remain unmet, while regional instability and global energy crises worsen.
The human toll includes 156 people, including roughly 120 schoolchildren from the stricken Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, southern Iran
The human toll also includes killed U.S. service members dying in vain, and a fractured international reputation.

U.S. has to negotiate for an exit

The U.S. now faces a choice: escalate into a protracted, unwinnable war where US troops are sacrificed on the ground or seek a negotiated exit before its military and industrial capacity are further eroded.

The war’s foundation has crumbled under the weight of its own lies. For years, Washington and Tel Aviv pushed the narrative of an “imminent Iranian nuclear threat,” despite consistent intelligence reports confirming Iran’s program never crossed into weaponization. This manufactured crisis justified military escalation, from drone strikes to covert operations, all while Iran’s leadership warned that aggression would provoke a defensive nuclear response.

The parallels to the Iraq War, where false claims of weapons of mass destruction led to a decade-long quagmire, are impossible to ignore. The only difference here, is the Trump Administration blew through the remaining long-range munitions in less than half of a year and won’t be able to sustain a years-long presence in Iran.

The cost of consuming power

The U.S. military’s over-extension into Iran is now a strategic liability. Advanced air-defense systems and long-range missiles, once seen as a guarantee of dominance, have been rapidly consumed in the five-month conflict. Replenishing these resources takes years, while the lives of service members cannot be restored. The Trump administration’s quiet support for Israel’s strikes in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip has only deepened the chaos, risking a global energy crisis as Iran takes control over the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Russia and China have seized the opportunity to expand their influence, arming Iran with advanced weaponry and undermining U.S. global standing.

The war’s strategic failure is compounded by a lack of clear objectives. Operation Epic Fury was launched with vague goals: “eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat,” “destroy its missile arsenal,” and “cripple its naval forces.” Yet none of these have been achieved. Iran’s drones have circumvented U.S. air defenses, and its naval exercises with African nations near the Red Sea suggest a growing regional alliance. The administration’s refusal to define a political endpoint—whether through negotiation or military victory—has left the war directionless, with each escalation consuming resources without strategic gain.

The human cost is staggering. In Yemen, Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have killed thousands of civilians with U.S.-supplied weapons. In the U.S., military bases face attrition from Iranian counterattacks, and domestic stability is threatened by the prospect of further conflict. The war has also eroded America’s moral authority; as the world watches, the U.S. risks becoming the very aggressor it claims to oppose.

The real test of Trump’s Iran policy, and any future administration, is whether America can exit this conflict with dignity. An “off-ramp” is not surrender; it is a necessary act of strategic realism. Continuing the war to “show strength” is a hollow victory, one that will leave the U.S. weaker, less prepared for future threats, and morally bankrupt.

Sources include:

Original.Antiwar.com

Reuters.com

Transcripts.CNN.com

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