A probable case of non-syndromic brachycephaly from 16th century Sardinia (Italy)

• A deformed skull was observed in a 9- to 10-year-old child from 16th century Alghero.
• Malformation is due to the premature bilateral closure of the coronal suture.
• Absence of hand and foot anomalies suggests a case of non-syndromic craniosynostosis.
• Brachycephaly is an uncommon paleopathological finding.

The skeleton of a 9- to 10-year-old child showing a case of skull malformation due to premature bilateral closure of the coronal suture was encountered during the excavation of a Sardinian plague cemetery (“Lo Quarter”) dating to the 1582–1583 Alghero plague outbreak. The skull is deformed, with increased bi-parietal diameter, marked frontal and parietal bosses, shallow orbits, and a palpable ridge perpendicular to the coronal suture. Digitate impressions are observable on both fronto-parietal regions of the skull's inner table. Since the splanchnocranium has not preserved, it is impossible to verify if facial anomalies might have been present. Although the cranial appearance might be reminiscent of different genetic syndromes, the absence of obvious hand and feet anomalies is a hallmark for non-syndromic brachycephaly.