ABSTRACT
In contrast to historical records, human skeletal remains provide a direct source of evidence regarding patterns of violence in both prehistoric and historically documented societies. Nonlethal cranial injuries are an especially interesting source of evidence concerning cultural differences in patterns of violence. Boxing was a favourite activity of the ancient Greeks and became a part of the Olympic Games in about 688 BC. It continued to be popular until Roman times when it was developed into something akin to a gladiatorial sport in which the pugilists wore gloves studded with metal spikes and bloody, duel-to-death battles were common. Some authors link the decline of boxing to the rise of feudalism and a desire of the aristocracy to disarm the common people by denying them training in the skills of self defence. Whatever the causes of boxings decline, it began to be replaced in Europe and Great Britain by other violent sports in which the combatants used cudgels, quarterstaffs, and backswords.
