RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT15 June 2026The female individual’s brain was removed after her death, but her remains were carefully reassembled for her interment.A human leg bone (far right) and three arm bones unearthed in modern-day Scotland show signs of having been worked to sharp points. Credit: Laura Castells NavarroAn individual buried some 2,000 years ago in what is now Scotland probably had her brain removed and some of her limb bones turned into tools after she died1.Access optionsAccess Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journalsGet Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription27,99 € / 30 dayscancel any timeLearn moreSubscribe to this journalReceive 52 print issues and online access199,00 € per yearonly 3,83 € per issueLearn moreRent or buy this articlePrices vary by article typefrom$1.95to$39.95Learn morePrices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkoutdoi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-01833-wReferencesCastells Navarro, L. et al. Antiquity https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2026.10353 (2026).Article Google Scholar Download referencesSubjectsArchaeologyLatest on:ArchaeologyJobs Biotech and Healthcare Investment AssociateJoin a dedicated Biotechnology and Healthcare investment team at a Boston-based multi-billion-dollar family office.Boston, Massachusetts (US)Boston-based Family OfficeAssistant Professor in Structural Geology and GeomechanicsThe Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (https://epsci.stanford.edu) at Stanford University and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability ...Stanford, California (US)Earth & Planetary Sciences DepartmentAssociate or Senior Editor, BMC MedicineJob Title: Associate or Senior Editor, BMC Medicine Location: Shanghai or New York, Hybrid Working Model Application Deadline: July 6th, 2026...Shanghai or New York, Hybrid Working ModelSpringer Nature Ltd