Incans in Peru would purposely deformed infants’ heads to stretch their skulls out permanently.
The practice of manipulating a young child’s soft skull is not unique in human history. It was perhaps most prominent in the Paracas culture that resided on the coast of Peru, south of the capital Lima. At least 5 distinct shapes of elongated skulls have been found by archeologists, each being predominant in specific cemeteries.
The manipulated skulls were a sign of nobility and/or high social class. Deformation usually begins just after birth for the next couple years until the desired shape has been reached or the child reaches an age where his/her skull is no longer malleable.
Flat shaped, elongated heads were produced by binding the head between two pieces of wood and rounded ones were produced by binding in cloth.