1,721,233 research outputs found
Human Peopling and Population Dynamics in Sicily: Preliminary Analysis of the Craniofacial Morphometric Variation from the Paleolithic to the Contemporary Age
Full text linkThe geographic position, isolation, and the long and dynamic history of colonization created
a human context in Sicily that allows for a particular anthropological study; information about
“migratory flow” and “population influx” could be investigated in the cranial morphology of a localized geographical region. The research goals are the identification of temporal trends in facial
morphology in order to assess the adaptations and the microevolutionary trends and to verify if the cranial morphology of humans was modified by the various genetic contributions and more or less related to the intense and significant migratory flows. This work includes a diachronic morphometrics study of 3D models of 95 Sicilian skulls coming from 19 populations (from the Paleolithic to the Contemporary Age), providing an overview of human biodiversity and variability in Sicily. To achieve this, a geometric morphometrics analysis of the facial features of adult human skulls was performed. The approach used allows for the identification of the main micro‐anatomical and micro‐evolutionary features. Considering sample size/composition, it has been possible to discriminate between prehistorical and historical populations. The results highlight a series of morphological changes related to different migratory flows that have followed one another with different intensities and effectiveness starting from the Prehistory up to the Contemporary Age. The human peopling of Sicily is a subject of continuous debate; however, this study points to the coexistence of microevolutionary patterns and population dynamics, with the latter being one of the main causes of the morphological variations
A detailed method for creating digital 3D models of human crania: an example of close‐range photogrammetry based on the use of Structure‐from‐Motion (SfM) in virtual anthropology
Full text linkPhotogrammetry is a survey technique that allows for the building of three-dimensional (3D) models from digitized output
data. In recent years, it has been confirmed as one of the best techniques to build 3D models widely used in several fields such
as life and earth sciences, medicine, architecture, topography, archaeology, crime scene investigation, cinematography, and
engineering. Close-range photogrammetry, in particular, has several applications in osteological studies allowing to create
databases of 3D bone models available for subsequent qualitative and quantitative studies. This work provides a step-by-step
guide of the photo acquisition protocol and the photogrammetric workflow for creating high-resolution 3D digital models of
human crania. Our method, based on Structure-from-Motion (SfM), uses single-camera photogrammetry to capture chromatic
details and reconstruct shape with a scale error of less than 1 mm. Using relatively inexpensive and easily transportable
equipment and a quick and simple protocol, realistic and accurate models can be be produced with minimal effort
An execution in medieval Sicily: Computerised tomography scan analysis and 3D reconstruction of an ancient forensic context
No full textThe bioarchaeological and forensic approach is increasingly applied in the study of
funerary contexts in archaeology. Here, we present a case of an atypical medieval
burial recently discovered in Piazza Armerina (Sicily), in which the integrated use of
traditional bioarchaeological and forensic anthropology methods was crucial. The
skeleton was lying in a prone position and was characterised by a peculiar injury pattern.
We recorded six clear stab wound marks on the posterior surface of the sternum.
The use of computerised tomography scan and 3D modelling techniques has
made it possible to obtain a reliable reconstruction of the cause and modality of
death, pointing to the execution of the individual. The importance of this case study
is twofold. First, the injury pattern recorded currently constitutes a unicum in the
bioarchaeological record. Second, it represents the first well‐documented case of an
atypical burial in Sicily
Evidence of a chromosomal polymorphism unique to Cercopithecini. A key factor in the Tribe definition?
Full text linkWithin the symbolic world of the prehistoric hunters: A GIS-based and 3D model analysis of sites with complexes of linear incisions in western Sicily
No full textThe prehistoric peopling of Sicily has left scattered traces of symbolic activities through well-known rock art expressions in caves and rock shelters located all around the island (among the most significant, the sites of Addaura, Racchio and Genovese). A peculiar phenomenon is the incision of linear signs, often grouped on the same rocky walls, hidden in fissures or placed at the entrance of the underground chambers of caves. In this report, we investigate a sample of these graphic expressions from a spatial and technical point of view. A GIS-based approach presents the territorial pattern providing insight, on a macroscale, into the intentional positioning of the sign complexes. A 3D model of the rock panels, coupled with the spatial analysis performed in a GIS environment, is presented here as a research protocol to ascertain and comprehend the physical gestures involved in the production. © 202
The presence of Homo in Sicily: evidence, hypotheses and uncorroborated ideas. An archaeo-anthropological perspective
Full text linkThis article summarises the main findings and data on the ancient peopling of the Mediterranean
island of Sicily through an archaeo-anthropological perspective. The hypothesis surrounding the presence
of the Lower Palaeolithic in Sicily with more ancestral species of Homo is also extensively reviewed and it
is explained why there are not sufficient elements to maintain it. Finally, future multidisciplinary proposals
are made to fill the gap on Sicilian cave archaeology
Figure 2 in The last of the large-sized tortoises of the Mediterranean islands
No full textFigure 2. Map of Sicily, showing the location of the cave Zubbio di Cozzo San Pietro (A). Base of the pit-hole of the cave entrance (B).Published as part of Valenti, Pietro, Vlachos, Evangelos, Kehlmaier, Christian, Fritz, Uwe, Georgalis, Georgios L., Luján, Àngel Hernández, Miccichè, Roberto, Sineo, Luca & Delfino, Massimo, 2022, The last of the large-sized tortoises of the Mediterranean islands, pp. 1704-1717 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 (4) on page 1706, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac044, http://zenodo.org/record/739058
Relazione antropologica preliminare inumato 1386
No full textSui resti della Villa tardoantica del Casale di Piazza Armerina, tra il X secolo d.C. e gli inizi dell’XI si era impiantato un vasto insediamento islamico che occupava una vasta area anche a sud e a nord della Villa, di cui è stato esplorato un ampio settore con una strada glareata su cui si aprivano le unità residenziali, alcune delle quali presentavano un cortile interno basolato in cui si trovavano anche un focolare e un forno, intorno a cui si dislocavano i vari ambienti e spesso anche una scala per l’accesso al piano superiore o al tetto. Improvvisamente l’abitato venne abbandonato e i suoi resti furono livellati ; mentre a partire dalla metà dell’XI secolo viene costruito un nuovo abitato normanno, in cui si trova un ambiente rettangolare con portico laterale, una torre difensiva sul lato corto e un silos all’esterno per la conservazione delle derrate. Era un quartiere artigianale ceramico sorto sulla riva del vicino torrente Nocciara.
Nei primi decenni del XII secolo forse per un violento terremoto che colpì la Sicilia centro orientale o in seguito alla repressione della rivolta della popolazione islamica da parte di Guglielmo I, l’abitato venne abbandonato, ma la vita in esso continuò fino all’età federiciana.
L’abitato bizantino e medievale si estendeva anche alle colline retrostanti la Villa (Monte Mangone e Colla); in particolare sulla collina di C.da Colla, durante un survay effettuato su una vasta estensione di terreno, sono state raccolte terra sigillata africana e lastrine di rivestimento in marmo pregiato, che hanno fatto ipotizzare la presenza di un esteso insediamento tardo antico sulla collina retrostante a sud della Villa del Casale
Figure 1 in The last of the large-sized tortoises of the Mediterranean islands
No full textFigure 1. Map of the circum-Mediterranean area and northern Africa showing the distribution of extant species of tortoises (filled squares), based on the data of TTWG (2021): Te. graeca; Te. hermanni; Te. marginata; Te. kleinmanni; Centrochelys sulcata, and other large and giant tortoises from the Neogene-Quaternary either included in our analysis or mentioned in the text. Map generated in GPlates 2.2.0, using the 1 arc minute resolution topography of Amante et al. (2009).Published as part of Valenti, Pietro, Vlachos, Evangelos, Kehlmaier, Christian, Fritz, Uwe, Georgalis, Georgios L., Luján, Àngel Hernández, Miccichè, Roberto, Sineo, Luca & Delfino, Massimo, 2022, The last of the large-sized tortoises of the Mediterranean islands, pp. 1704-1717 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 196 (4) on page 1705, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac044, http://zenodo.org/record/739058
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