Today in Smithsonian History: February 28, 1966

Trephination scene exhibited in the Physical Anthropology Hall, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. This mural was painted by Alton Tobey in 1964.

February 28, 1966 The Smithsonian unveils a large mural in the new Hall of Physical Anthropology in the National Museum of Natural History. The 7- by 12-foot mural, by Alton Tobey of New York, depicts trephination–an Inca surgeon cutting open the skull of a living patient in the ancient city of Machu Pichu, high in the Peruvian Andes. The artist was sent to Peru for background sketches of Machu Picchu and to major Peruvian museums for information on costumes, textiles, and artifacts.

Tobey working on preliminary sketches for the Smithsonian murals. (Image © Alton Tobey et al. 2004)

Related posts:

ICYMI: Highlights from the week of April 4 – April 8, 2022 Capitol Hill veteran will lead the Office of Government Relations Office of Protection Services has a new director An alliance for everyone