Thread by @SeshatDatabank

Researchers analysed 23 modified crania from the Republic of Georgia,
Hungary, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Crimea, all dating from the Great Migration peiod (4th-7th C AD). Deformed skulls were symbols of belonging. cosmosmagazine.com/archaeology/de…

The results showed that methods of cranial modification varied by
region, indicating that the results signified membership of different
cultures.
Left to right: A heavily modified Hun skull, a moderately modified German skull, and an unmodified reference skull.

“More than other forms of body modification, intentional cranial modification is a clear mark of ascribed social identity because the individual is never consulted but co-opted into the practice by society to demonstrate some aspect of aesthetic, gender, status or group identity"

The centre of cranial modification practice was undoubtedly Hungary, where the incoming Huns established their settlements.
Skull, showing the modified elongated cranium the Huns achieved through binding the heads of their babies. 5th C. Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest

The practice spread far beyond the Huns themselves, including some areas the Huns never even visited. The researchers present multiple lines of evidence, including genomic analysis, to support this finding. Cranial deformation was applied to men and women.