1,721,105 research outputs found
Paleonutrition and Paleopathology: Food and Disease at the Renaissance Courts of Naples and Florence
Full text linkThe study concerns 25 individuals from the Basilica of S. Domenico Maggiore in Naples (15th-17th centuries) and of 20 individuals from the Medici Chapels of the Basilica of S. Lorenzo in Florence (16th-17th centuries). The isotopes clearly reflect the large intake not only of meat but also of marine foods by the Italian aristocratic classes, especially from southern Italy, in the 15th-17th centuries. I present three important “clinical” cases. The left foot of Ferdinando I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (15491609), shows, at the peri-articular and articular surface of the interphalangeal joint of the hallux dorsum a lesion typical of chronic gout. High values of δ15N demonstrate a diet very rich in meat from terrestrial animals. This isotopic profile well correlates with the frequent attacks of gout referred by court chroniclers and with the diagnosis of chronic gout of the left big toe revealed by the paleopathological study. The skull of Don Filippino de’ Medici (1577-1582) shows nonsevere external hydrocephaly. The δ15N isotope values of don Filippino reveal a diet very rich in proteins of animal origin. The hereditary prince, was a frail and sickly child, affected by rickets. Probably for this reason, his parents and the court doctors forced him to eat more meat, considered at that time “the first source of physical strength”. Autopsy of the mummy of Ferrante I d’Aragona, king of Naples (1431-1494), revealed a moderately differentiated colon adenocarcinoma extensively infiltrating the muscles of the small pelvis. Ancient DNA amplification of the neoplastic cells by PCR in the mummy of Ferrante I evidenced a typical point mutation of the K-ras gene codon. The portraits of Ferrante reveal growing obesity from youth to maturity. Examination of the mummy of Ferrante, confirms his obesity. The paleonutritional data, with their high level of δ15N, show a massive intake of animal proteins. The alimentary “environment” of the Neapolitan court of the XV century and the sovereign’s habits, with his abundance of natural endogenous alkylating agents, well explain the K-ras mutation causing the tumor which killed the Aragonese king over five centuries ago
Paleonutrition and paleopathology: Food and disease at the renaissance courts of Naples and Florence
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Focus Point on Past and Present: Recent Advances in the Investigation of Ancient Materials by Means of Scientific Instrumental Techniques
Full text linkMortar radiocarbon dating: Cryo2sonic sample preparation procedure. method and applications
No full textThe absolute chronology of archaeological contexts is mainly based on the radiocarbon dating of organic materials. This analytical approach often provides misleading results when the goal is to find a surprising relationship between organic matter and archaeological structures. Thus, discovering new radiocarbon dating methodologies on mortar samples, represents one of the main “open problems” involving the entire radiocarbon community. Mortars are heterogeneous building materials composed of a mixture of inorganic and/or organic binders, and inert with sandy dimensions. Indeed, the lime binder in mortar can be used to date archaeological structures, since the carbon dioxide absorbed during the setting of the mortar probably reflects the14C content existing in the atmosphere at that time. The main sources of carbon dioxide, that potentially contribute to a biasing in the final measure, are: the residues of primary carbonates (calcination relics) originating from the incomplete limestone combustion during the process of producing lime; aggregates containing carbonates used as inert materials during the production phases of the mortar; and newly formed carbonates precipitated after the interaction between running water or rain. Therefore, the preparation of the samples must eliminate the contamination (aggregate, calcination relics or crystallization of new calcite) which must be separated from the carbon belonging to the original binder. The methods, now more commonly used for the preparation of mortar samples, consist of a mechanical pre-treatment or a chemical treatment. This paper illustrates the so-called Cryo2Sonic procedure, and how it has been improved over time (previously it was “CryoSonic”), and developed with the use of other complementary techniques. Moreover, various case studies will be presented in which this radiocarbon dating protocol has been applied to mortars of different structures belonging to different phases and historical contexts. The results have not always been good, as there are many sources of contamination from the different origins of CO2. Our goal is to eliminate contamination as much as possible, or at least try to limit the effect of CO2 contamination
Privileged burial in the Pava Pieve (Siena, 8th century AD)
Full text linkDuring the 6th archaeological excavation campaign performed at the “Pieve di Pava” (San Giovanni d’Asso, Siena, Italy) in the summer of 2009, a privileged stone burial of a single individual (US 2378) was discovered, covered by a monolithic slab and placed in front of the altar. The tomb is about 160 cm long, 40 cm large and over 70 cm deep. The skeletal remains of a young male (18-20 years), not in anatomical connection, were found on the bottom floor of the tomb. The skeleton, submitted to 14C dating, revealed a date between 650 and 688 AD. Stable isotope analysis (18O, 13C, 15N) attested that he was a member of the local population, whose diet was rather rich in animal proteins. We are clearly in front of a secondary deposition, most likely the skeleton of an eminent personage (a saint?), transported to the church in a sack, as clearly demonstrated by the circular delimitation of bones. The relic was probably used for the new consecration of the church, following the restoration works of the 8th century. The paleopathological study diagnosed a case of acromesomelic dysplasia, a congenital anomaly with disproportion of the limbs: short enlarged distal segments (radius-ulna and tibia), almost normal proximal segments (humerus and femur), short stature of about 150 cm, and bilateral fibular agenesis. Tibiae malformation and fibulae agenesis caused bilateral talipes valgus, with major walking problems. Severe enthesopathies in the upper limbs indicate that he made use of crutches
Evidence of Barbarian migrations and interpersonal violence during the Gothic War in sixth-century Tuscany: the case of the Goth horseman from San Genesio (Pisa)
No full textDuring excavations carried out at the necropolis of San Genesio, taphonomic analysis permitted the detection of a small nucleus of distinctive graves dated to the sixth century and set within the wider context of autochthonous burials. This group was characterized by features such as wooden coffins and tree trunk burials, elements typical of the Germanic cultural milieu. Furthermore, anthropological analysis of the skeletal remains identified a case of Artificial Cranial Deformation (ACD), a distinctive element of Gothic ethnic groups. Individuals with ACD are extremely rare in the Italian archeological record and are related to the period in which the Gothic migrations took place. The subject, buried in a wooden casket, was a male individual with a deformed skull, polytraumatized, and most likely killed in combat, possibly during the Gothic War. This is the first Italian case of an individual with ACD, who died a certified violent death. The present study, despite the absence of traditional Germanic grave goods, has allowed to hypothesize the existence at San Genesio of an allochthonous group, a theory further supported by strontium isotope analysis
Traceability of ‘Mozzarella di Bufala Campana’ production chain by means of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen stable isotope ratios
No full textBACKGROUND: New techniques are required to guarantee the authenticity of food, especially for PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) trademarks. The genuineness of a product is directly related to the raw material and to the production process used. In this article, the traceability of the Mozzarella di Bufala Campana PDO was investigated, using carbon, nitrogen and oxygen stable isotopes ratios, measured on buffalo feeding, milk and mozzarella, from Caserta and Salerno farms. Furthermore, 37 mozzarella brands were analyzed (carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopes) from the different production areas, to characterize their origin. RESULTS: The results of this work showed no changes in carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of milk and mozzarella, indicating no fractionation in the production process. The δ13C of milk was influenced by feeding signal; while, milk δ15N was regulated by fractionation occurring during ruminant metabolism. Mozzarella oxygen isotopic signal depleted with respect to the milk one. Regarding brand samples, it was found that the geographical differentiation is based more on carbon isotopes than on the nitrogen and oxygen ones. CONCLUSION: This work gives an important contribution to the knowledge regarding the traceability of such a particular cheese as mozzarella. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Privileged Burial in The Pava Pieve (Siena, 8th century AD)
No full textDuring the 6th archaeological excavation campaign performed at the «Pieve di Pava» (San Giovanni d’Asso, Siena, Italy) in the summer of 2009, a stone-lined burial of a high-status single individual (uS 2378) was discovered, covered by a monolithic slab and placed in front of the altar. The tomb is about 160 cm long, 40 cm wide and over 70 cm deep. The skeletal remains of a young male (18-20 years), not in anatomical connection, were found on the floor of the tomb. 14C dating revealed a period between 650 and 688 AD. Stable isotope analysis (18O, 13C, 15N) attested that he was a member of the local community, with a diet quite rich in animal proteins. We are in presence of the secondary burial of an eminent personage, perhaps a saint, likely to have been transported to the church in a sack of perishable material, possibly textile, which caused their alignment along a curved line, as clearly demonstrated by the circular delimitation of the bones. The body was probably used for the re-consecration of the church following the restoration works of the 8th century. The paleopathological study diagnosed a case of acromes- omelic dysplasia, a congenital anomaly with disproportionate limbs: short, enlarged distal segments (radius-ulna and tibia), almost normal proximal segments (humerus and femur), short stature of about 150 cm, and bilateral fibular agenesis. Tibiae malformation and fibulae agenesis led to bilateral talipes val- gus, with major walking problems. Extensive enthesopathies in the upper limbs indicate the use of crutches
Paleonutrition of the rural Italian population from the Middle Ages to the Contemporary Age: isotopic analysis of some Tuscan skeletal samples
No full textThe studies on paleodiet through stable isotope evidence of carbon (δ13C)and nitrogen (δ15N) content in bone collagen represent a line of investigation widely practiced in archaeology and anthropology. The application of this method in prehistoric American and European skeletal series, as well as in historical age groups, has provided new investigative tools to reconstruct environment, food economies, access to resources and social characterization of human groups in the past. This method was recently applied by the Division of Paleopathology of University of Pisa, in collaboration with the second University of Naples, in several samples from rural Tuscan cemeteries. These skeletal series are different in chronology, related to contexts of the Medieval (11th-14th century) and Post Medieval Ages (19th century), from the inner Apennine and the hilly Tuscany. The comparison of sites with different settling characteristics (Parish cemeteries, graveyards of Castle), as well as within a site with individuals occupying different spatial hierarchical positions (in proximity or away from the church), provides useful data to interpret the diet as social indicator. Our analysis also offers some insights to interpret correctly the meaning of results in relation to the material characteristics of burials, settlements and of the written sources. Finally isotope models allow us o advance some hypotheses on food and diet in different human groups
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