The necropolis of Bolgare (Lombardy, Italy): anthropological and paleopathological features of a Lombard population

Publication date: Available online 21 January 2015 Source:HOMO - Journal of Comparative Human Biology Author(s): E. Sguazza , A. Mazzucchi , M. Fortunati , C. Cattaneo The medieval necropolis of Bolgare – St. Chierico is an important site in northern Italy, locatedin the Bergamo Province (about 40 kilometres East of Milan). In order to reconstruct aspects of the demographic and health status of this Lombard population, macroscopic (morphological, metric and radiographic) and microscopic analyses were performed on over 400 skeletons for the assessments of sex (cranial and pelvic morphology, metrics), age (subadults: dental and bone development; adults: mainly pubic symphysis, auricular surface of the ilium, 4th rib) and stature, for the determination of ancestry and the identification of pathologies. Results proved the sample to be heterogeneous with males, females, adults and subadults. The sample seemed to be composed of several groups, including individuals with northern or eastern (Uralic) European features and, on the other hand, individuals with central European or Mediterranean characteristics. The first may be indicative of migrations of Lombards (suggested by tall stature estimates); the second could be considered autochthonous, bearing features more typical of northern Italian populations. Among palaeopathological finds, the study showed the presence of tuberculosis, gout, DISH and degenerative pathologies particularly on the pelvis and spinal column. The p...

Source: HOMO Journal of Comparative Human Biology - January 23, 2015 Category: Biology Source Type: research