Australian Aborigines

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGENES

The first cuneiform texts appeared at the dawn of the Sumerian civilization in the period between 3500-3100 BCE. Due to the fact that before this interval there was no writing, an older text mentioning ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) will never be found. Perhaps a drawing or pictogram of it will be found on a stone.

Our assumption is inspired by the study of the rock art of the Australian Aborigines in the style of «X-ray art». Ancient artists, depicting animals and people, often drew bones, internal and external organs, and also designated joints. The minimum age of the early X-ray painting on the western Arnhem Land Escarpment in northern Australia is 5068-6636 years (2017JonesT_WesleyD). Here, in the area of the Burrungui (Nourlangie) and Madjedbebe (Malakunanja II) shelters, rich in rock art, human settlements existed 24-20 Kya (2017MaySK_SanzID). Modern comprehensive analysis indicates the beginning of the settlement of Australia and the territory near Madjedbebe in the period 50-45 Kya (2018O’ConnellJF_CooperA). Accordingly, this is the line before which the visual art of the indigenous people cannot be found.

Among the X-ray paintings available to us for review, we did not find a clear drawing of the LCF in the projection of the hip joints. However, in one of the images «Nabulwinjbulwinj» (Nourlangie Anbangbang Rock Shelter, Northern Territory of Australia) the femur, its head, diaphysis and distal metaepiphysis are clearly outlined. In the area of the femurs and shins a network of intersecting zigzag lines is drawn. It may have depicted a cord-like system of the body (tendons-ligaments-nerves-vessels) surrounding the skeletal system. Also traced is a schematic outline of the knee joint in the form of an oblique-horizontal line and a hip joint, where an arcuate joint space is guessed.

Aboriginal rock art, Anbangbang shelter, Kakadu National Park, Australia Author: Thomas Schoch; source: wikimedia.org collection (license CC BY-SA 3.0, color correction).

We studied the drawing in detail, when it was enlarged, cleared its right part from visual defects and digital noise. We have increased the contrast and clarity, and adjusted the color scheme. The main emphasis is on the right lower limb and the hip joint of the same name. As a result, a certain artifact appeared in the lower section of the image of the femoral head. It was connected to a zigzag line by a cord-like system of the femur, following in the distal direction. If our actions were correct, then it cannot be ruled out that the oldest stylized image of LCF has been discovered.

A fragment of a drawing from the Nourlangie region of the Anbangbang rock shelter in the Australian National Park Kakadu; on the right half of the body, we have removed digital defects and made the following designations: 1 - head of the femur; 2 - femoral diaphysis; 3 - distal metaepiphysis of the femur; 4 - knee joint; 5 – tibia diaphysis, arrow indicates the supposed image of LCF (Author of the original photo: Thomas Schoch; Anbangbang Rock Shelter, Kakadu National Park, Australia Date 5 August 2005 Source Thomas Schoch at retas.de).

It is possible to clarify our version only by directly examining the picture in Kakadu National Park. We hope that this study will be carried out someday and will confirm or refute the opinion expressed by us. In any case, the discussed drawing shows one of the earliest schematic images of the human hip joint, aged 24-5 thousand years.

References

Jones T, Levchenko V, Wesley D. How old is X-ray art? Minimum age determinations for early X-ray rock art from the ‘Red Lily’(Wulk) Lagoon rock art precinct, western Arnhem Land. In: David B, Taçon PSC, Delannoy J-JG, Jean-Michel, (Eds). The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia, 47. ANU Press, 2017:129-143. [books.google]

May SK, Taçon PSC, Wrigth D, Marshall M, Goldhahn J, Sanz ID. The roc art of Madjedbebe (Malakunanja II). In: David B, Taçon PSC, Delannoy J-JG, Jean-Michel, (Eds). The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia, 47. ANU Press, 2017:87-107. [books.google]

O’Connell JF, Allen J, Williams MA, Williams AN, Turney CS, Spooner NA, ... Cooper A. When did Homo sapiens first reach Southeast Asia and Sahul?. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2018;115(34)8482-90. [pnas.org]

Keywords

ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, doctrine, drawing, anatomy, Australia, aborigines, observation

The original text in Russian is available at the link: Австралийские аборигены

NB! Fair practice / use: copied for the purposes of criticism, review, comment, research and private study in accordance with Copyright Laws of the US: 17 U.S.C. §107; Copyright Law of the EU: Dir. 2001/29/EC, art.5/3a,d; Copyright Law of the RU: ГК РФ ст.1274/1.1-2,7

BLOG CONTENT

IMAGES AND VIDEOS

999–10 Kya

Comments

1916WalmsleyT

Article by Walmsley T. A note on the retinacula of Weitbrecht (1916). The author discusses the embryonic development and relationships of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in humans and animals. A NOTE ON THE RETINACULA OF WEITBRECHT. By THOMAS WALMSLEY, M.B., Senior Demonstrator in Anatomy, University of Glasgow. The synovial membrane of the hip-joint is in extent and attachment similar to that of other diarthroses, but the retinacula of Weitbrecht (or ligaments of Stanley) lend to it a special interest. These retinacula are readily recognized on the interior of the capsule as flattened bands passing inwards towards the margin of the head of the femur from the attachment of the peripheral capsule. The following description of their constitution may be selected as expressive of current opinion. The retinacula are arranged in three groups, superior, middle, and inferior: structurally, they are synovial covered capsular reflections: morphologic...

LCF in 2026 (August)

LCF in 2026 (August ) (Quotes from articles and books published in August 2026 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris) Maldonado, D. R., Schab, A. R., & Domb, B. G. (2026). Improvement in Patient‐Reported Outcomes, High Rate of Return to Sport, and Secondary Surgery Rate Ranging From 0% to 9.8% After Hip Arthroscopy in Dancers and Athletes in Flexibility Sports: A Systematic Review. Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation , e70020. [i] arthroscopyjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com Klingele, K., & Strub, D. (2026). Author Response: Considerations and Challenges in Open Reduction With Ligamentum Teres Reconstruction for Pediatric Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics . [ii] ovid.com Quesada‐Jimenez, R., Rana, K., Strok, M. J., Kahana‐Rojkind, A. H., Burt, A. K., Sugarman, E. P., & Domb, B. G. (2026). Dual Labral and Ligamentum Ter...

1914JonesFW_MorrisH

We are publishing a chapter from the fifth edition of «Morris's Human Anatomy» (1914). A significant portion of it is dedicated to the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). The original text has been edited by Wood Jones. Particularly notable are the illustrations depicting the LCF. Some of them are improved drawings by the first author ( 1879MorrisH ). Quote pp. 276-284 1. THE HIP-JOINT Class. — Diarthrosis. Subdivision. — Enarthrodia. The hip is the most typical example of a ball-and-socket joint in the body, the round head of the femur being received into the cup-shaped cavity of the acetabulum. Both articular surfaces are coated with cartilage, that covering the head of the femur being thicker above where it has to bear the weight of the body, and thinning out to a mere edge below; the pit for the ligamentum teres is the only part uncoated, but the cartilage is somewhat heaped up around its margin. Covering the acetabulum, the cartilage is horseshoe-shaped, a...

1861HoldenL

Fragments from the book Holden L. Human Osteology (1861). The author discusses the attachment and anatomy of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) . In some cases, we have added links to quotations about LCF available on our resource, as well as to publications posted on the Internet. Quote pp. 1 66-167 Acetabulum. Lastly, we come to the "acetabulum." This is so named from its resemblance to an ancient vinegar cup. Observe its great depth and hemispherical form adapted for the secure lodgement of the head of the thigh-bone, and for more or less movement in any direction. It looks downwards and outwards so as to transmit the weight of the trunk directly on to the head of the thigh-bone; and the upper or iliac portion of it is by far the thickest and strongest, since it has to support the whole weight of the trunk in the erect posture. All these points are of interest, because they are characteristic of the human skeleton. There are two notches in the margin or "br...

LCF in 2025 (January)

LCF in 2025 (January) : Quotes from articles and books published in March 2025 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris. Alany, A. M. S., Rasul, D., Berzenji, A. I. H., & Berzenji, A. (2025). Early Outcomes of Arthroscopic Versus Open Reduction for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cureus , 17 (1). [i] assets.cureus.com Lovelace, D. M., Kufner, A. M., Fitch, A. J., Curry Rogers, K., Schmitz, M., Schwartz, D. M., ... & Teran, R. (2025). Rethinking dinosaur origins: oldest known equatorial dinosaur-bearing assemblage (mid-late Carnian Popo Agie FM, Wyoming, USA). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 203 (1), zlae153. [ii] academic.oup.com Rashwan, A. S., El-Desouky, M., Elbarbary, H., Madbouly, M. A. E., & Khedr, A. (2025). Arthroscopic-assisted reduction for Developmental Hip Dysplasia (DDH) through the sub-adductor ...

14c.Chora_Church

Chora Church (Mosque) in Istanbul, fresco – «Jacob Wrestling with the Angel» (14th cent.). Depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury based on the description in the Book of Genesis: 25 And Ja cob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 26 And when he saw that he could not pre vail against him, he struck against the hollow of his thigh ; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he was wrestling with him. … 33 Therefore do the children of Israel not eat the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he struck against the hollow of Jacob's thigh on the sinew that shrank. ( 1922LeeserI , Genesis (Bereshit) 32:25-26,33) More about the plot in our work: Ninth month, eleventh day ( 2024АрхиповСВ. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день ). Unknown author – «Jacob Wrestling with the Angel» (14th cent.) fresco Cho...

16с.Archangel_Michael

Icon «Michael the Archangel (in deeds)», stigma «The struggle of Jacob with the angel» (16th cent.). Depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury based on the description in the Book of Genesis: 25 And Ja cob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 26 And when he saw that he could not pre vail against him, he struck against the hollow of his thigh ; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was put out of joint, as he was wrestling with him. … 33 Therefore do the children of Israel not eat the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day; because he struck against the hollow of Jacob's thigh on the sinew that shrank. ( 1922LeeserI , Genesis (Bereshit) 32:25-26,33) More about the plot in our work: Ninth month, eleventh day ( 2024АрхиповСВ. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день ). Unknown author – Icon «Michael the Archangel (in deeds)»...

Who, When, and Where Wrote the Book of Genesis?

Who, When, and Where Wrote the Book of Genesis? A Medical Hypothesis By Sergey V. Arkhipov, MD, PhD & Lyudmila N. Arkhipova, BSN CONTENT [i] Abstract [ii] Introduction [iii] Egyptian physician [iv] Asian diviner [v] Conclusion [vi] References [vii] Application [i] Abstract The Book of Genesis is an example of an ancient literary text that contains important medical insights. We propose that it was written in northern Egypt in the late 17th century BCE, approximately ten years after the Minoan eruption. The protograph likely emerged from the collaboration between an Asiatic seer, who rose to the rank of an Egyptian official, and an Egyptian physician-encyclopedist. By refining its dating and authorship, this hypothesis positions Genesis as a credible source of medical and historical data, thereby enhancing its value for interdisciplinary research. [ii] Introduction According to Rabbinic Judais...

150-200Pseudo-Galen

Fragment from the treatise Pseudo-Galen Introduction, or the Physician ( Εἰσαγωγὴ ἢ Ἰτρός ; Introductio, seu Medicus; ca. 150-200 [our opinion]). The author notes the connecting function of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) and also specifies the proximal and distal attachment sites. See our commentary at the link: 150-200Pseudo-Galen [Rus]. Quote [Grc] Εἰσαγωγὴ ἢ Ἰτρός . K εφ . ιβ . [ Περί όστεολογἰας .] μηρου δέ έν μεν οστούν . συμβάλλει δε επικεκαμμένη μετρίως τη κεφαλή αυτού εις βαθείαν κοτύλην του ισχίου και νεύρῳ απήρτηται εκφυομένω εκ μέσης της κοτύλης και εμφυομένω εις μέσην την κεφαλήν του μηρού . (original source: 1827KühnCG, pp. 723-724) [Lat Introductio, seu Medicus. Cap. XII. [De osteologia] Femoris os unum est, cujus caput leniter reflexum in coxae profundum sinum conjicitur. Quam commissuram nervus, qui e medio sinu prodit et in medium femoris caput inseritur, continet. (original source: 1827KühnCG, pp. 723-724) Translation [Eng] Introduction, or the Phy...

1740KulmusJA

Fragments from the book Kulmus JA. Tables anatomiques (1734). The author briefly writes about the anatomy, properties and attachment of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). There are known translations of the treatise into Latin ( 1732KulmusJA ) and French ( 1734KulmusJA ). Quote p. 51 [Deu] Translation [Eng] с . In the upper part of the head there is a recess in which the round ligament is attached. Quote p. 54 [Deu] Translation [Eng] 2.) The round ligament is short but very strong; it arises at the bottom of the acetabulum and joins the fossa at the top of the femoral condyle. External links Kulmus JA. Anatomische Tabellen: Nebst dazu gehörigen Anmerckungen und Kupffern, Daraus des gantzen Menschlichen Cörpers Beschaffenheit und Nutzen deutlich zu ersehen; Welche Den Anfängern der Anatomie zu bequemer Anleitung verfasset hat… Nuremberg, Frankfort, Leipzig: J.A. von Creutz, MDCCXXXX [1740]. [ archive.org ] Authors & Affiliations Johann Adam Kulmus (...

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