1,721,088 research outputs found
First insights from anthropological analyses of Qatari Prehistoric skeletal remains (NPRP10-0208-170411).
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Ancient burned Human Remains Probed by Neutron and Optical Vibrational Spectroscopy
No full textFesta G, Rickards O, Martinez-Labarga C, Martini F, Marques MPM, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Gonçalves D, Parker S, Andreani C. 2017. Ancient Burned Human Remains Probed by Neutron and Optical Vibrational Spectroscopy. 27th February. Multisciplinary Research Meeting@Centro NAST, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
Sex selection in the Late Iberian infant burials: integrating evidences from morphological and genetic data
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to analyze the infant burials found inside
Iberian homes in relation to a possible case of sex selection.
Methods: The study included the remains of 11 infant individuals buried under the
10 houses excavated in the late Iberian village of Camp de les Lloses (Tona, Barcelona,
Spain). Sex was determined using genetic analysis.
Results: Our results showed that almost all the burials were females. However, the
age interval of death was wide enough to weaken the premise of infanticide, and
the burials probably represent cases of natural death.
Discussion: Infanticide in its different forms has long been argued as an explanation
for the infant remains found throughout various burial sites. Many authors
thought that infanticide, mainly femicide, was the main method of population control
in ancient times. However, there is no anthropological evidence (age distribution
and sex analyzed genetically) to support the intentional killing of females in
this or in other cases. We hypothesized that there was a positive selection for
females to be buried inside the houses, probably related to their benefactor roles
Leopoli-Cencelle (9th–15th centuries CE), a centre of Papal foundation: bioarchaeological analysis of the skeletal remains of its inhabitants
No full textBackground: The medieval city of Leopoli-Cencelle (9th–15th centuries CE) represents an exceptional study-model for extending our knowledge of the Italian Medieval period due not only to the large sample size available but also to the widespread presence of material data and a well preserved archaeological context. Aim: This research aims to reconstruct the osteobiography of the inhabitants of this centre of Papal foundation. Subjects and methods: The analysed sample counts 877 individuals. Scientifically established anthropological morphological methods were used for assessing their biological profile as well as for reconstructing lifestyle and health status. Results: The sample consists of 62.49% adults and 37.51% non-adults. The mortality pattern shows the highest peak prior to 1 year and between 1 and 6 years of age and a reduced longevity of female individuals as commonly observed in pre-antibiotic era populations. Metric and musculoskeletal stress markers revealed different biomechanical stress between sexes probably carrying out different working activities. The palaeopathological analysis supports a general good health status with the exception of a few specific cases. Conclusions: The present research helps shed light on the lifestyle of the inhabitants of Leopoli-Cencelle, enhancing a better understanding of the Italian Middle Ages
Back to the roots: dental calculus analysis of the first documented case of coeliac disease
No full textDental calculus of a Roman woman (late first century–early second century CE), supposed to be the first historical evidence of coeliac disease (CD), was subjected to archaeobotanical investigations for reconstructing diet and phytotherapeutic practices. Light microscopy provided the proof she came in contact with gluten-rich cereals (i.e. Triticeae, Aveninae), which, maybe, were deleterious for a CD genetic predisposed individual like her. Gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry revealed that the young woman ingested, at least once in lifetime, plant foods and several herbs (e.g. Brassicaceae, Mentha sp., Valeriana sp., Apiaceae, Asteraceae, grapes or wine, honeydew or manna). About the latter, surprisingly, markers of Curcuma sp. and Panax sp. were detected. The consumption of these rhizomes, already used in the ancient Oriental medicine, supported the existence of cultural contact and exchange with the Eastern Asia. Encouraged by modern knowledge, we hypothesised that the inhumate used these roots as natural remedies to soothe her pathological condition. Our data provided information about the key role of the ethnobotany in Roman Imperial age
ALUM: Discovering the history of the alum production through molecular archaeoanthropology and gamification.
No full textLa ricerca biologica applicata ai Beni Culturali / Biological research applied to cultural heritage
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