Animal remains are a common find in prehistoric and protohistoric funerary contexts. While taphonomic and osteological data provide insights about the proximate (depositional) factors responsible for ...these findings, the ultimate cultural causes leading to this observed mortuary behavior are obscured by the opacity of the archaeological record and the lack of written sources. Here, we apply an interdisciplinary suite of analytical approaches (zooarchaeological, anthropological, archaeological, paleogenetic, and isotopic) to explore the funerary deposition of animal remains and the nature of joint human-animal burials at Seminario Vescovile (Verona, Northern Italy 3rd-1st c. BCE). This context, culturally attributed to the Cenomane culture, features 161 inhumations, of which only 16 included animal remains in the form of full skeletons, isolated skeletal parts, or food offerings. Of these, four are of particular interest as they contain either horses (Equus caballus) or dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)-animals that did not play a dietary role. Analyses show no demographic, dietary, funerary similarities, or genetic relatedness between individuals buried with animals. Isotopic data from two analyzed dogs suggest differing management strategies for these animals, possibly linked to economic and/or ritual factors. Overall, our results point to the unsuitability of simple, straightforward explanations for the observed funerary variability. At the same time, they connect the evidence from Seminario Vescovile with documented Transalpine cultural traditions possibly influenced by local and Roman customs.
Abstract Cornaux/Les Sauges (Switzerland, Late Iron Age) revealed remnants of a wooden bridge, artifacts, and human and animal skeletal remains. The relationship between the collapsed structure and ...the skeletal material, whether it indicates a potential accident or cultural practices, remains elusive. We evaluate the most plausible scenario for Cornaux based on osteological, taphonomic, isotopic, and paleogenomic analysis of the recovered individuals. The latter amount to at least 20 individuals, mostly adult males. Perimortem lesions include only blunt force traumas. Radiocarbon data fall between the 3rd and 1st c. BCE, although in some cases predating available dendrochronological estimates from the bridge. Isotopic data highlight five to eight nonlocals. No close genetic relatedness links the analyzed skeletons. Paleogenomic results, the first for Iron Age Switzerland, point to a genetic affinity with other Central and Western European Iron Age groups. The type of skeletal lesions supports an accidental event as the more plausible explanation. Radiocarbon data and the demographic structure of the sample may suggest a sequence of different events possibly including executions and/or sacrifices. Isotopic and paleogenomic data, while not favoring one scenario over the other, do support earlier interpretations of the last centuries BCE in Europe as a dynamic period from a biocultural perspective.
Several computed tomographic studies have shown the presence of atherosclerosis in ancient human remains. However, while it is important to understand the development of atherosclerotic ...cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), genetic data concerning the prevalence of the disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in our ancestors are scarce.
For a better understanding of the role of genetics in the evolution of ASCVD, we applied an enrichment capture sequencing approach to mummified human remains from different geographic regions and time periods.
Twenty-two mummified individuals were analyzed for their genetic predisposition of ASCVD. Next-generation sequencing methods were applied to ancient DNA (aDNA) samples, including a novel enrichment approach specifically designed to capture SNPs associated with ASCVD in genome-wide association studies of modern humans.
Five out of 22 ancient individuals passed all filter steps for calculating a weighted polygenic risk score (PRS) based on 87 SNPs in 56 genes. PRSs were correlated to scores obtained from contemporary people from around the world and cover their complete range. The genetic results of the ancient individuals reflect their phenotypic results, given that the only two mummies showing calcified atherosclerotic arterial plaques on computed tomography scans are the ones exhibiting the highest calculated PRSs.
These data show that alleles associated with ASCVD have been widespread for at least 5,000 years. Despite some limitations due to the nature of aDNA, our approach has the potential to lead to a better understanding of the interaction between environmental and genetic influences on the development of ASCVD.
Dental calculus (mineralised dental plaque) preserves many types of microfossils and biomolecules, including microbial and host DNA, and ancient calculus are thus an important source of information ...regarding our ancestral human oral microbiome. In this study, we taxonomically characterised the dental calculus microbiome from 20 ancient human skeletal remains originating from Trentino-South Tyrol, Italy, dating from the Neolithic (6000-3500 BCE) to the Early Middle Ages (400-1000 CE).
We found a high abundance of the archaeal genus Methanobrevibacter in the calculus. However, only a fraction of the sequences showed high similarity to Methanobrevibacter oralis, the only described Methanobrevibacter species in the human oral microbiome so far. To further investigate the diversity of this genus, we used de novo metagenome assembly to reconstruct 11 Methanobrevibacter genomes from the ancient calculus samples. Besides the presence of M. oralis in one of the samples, our phylogenetic analysis revealed two hitherto uncharacterised and unnamed oral Methanobrevibacter species that are prevalent in ancient calculus samples sampled from a broad range of geographical locations and time periods.
We have shown the potential of using de novo metagenomic assembly on ancient samples to explore microbial diversity and evolution. Our study suggests that there has been a possible shift in the human oral microbiome member Methanobrevibacter over the last millennia. Video abstract.
In South Tyrol (Eastern Italian Alps), during Late Antiquity-Early Middle Ages, archeological records indicate cultural hybridization among alpine groups and peoples of various origin. Using ...paleogenomics, we reconstructed the ancestry of 20 individuals (4th–7th cent. AD) from a cemetery to analyze whether they had heterogeneous or homogeneous ancestry and to study their social organization. The results revealed a primary genetic ancestry from southern Europe and additional ancestries from south-western, western, and northern Europe, suggesting that cultural hybridization was accompanied by complex genetic admixture. Kinship analyses found no genetic relatedness between the only two individuals buried with grave goods. Instead, a father-son pair was discovered in one multiple grave, together with unrelated individuals and one possible non-local female. These genetic findings indicate the presence of a high social status familia, which is supported by the cultural materials and the proximity of the grave to the most sacred area of the church.
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•High genetic complexity in individuals from a single small medieval alpine cemetery•Ancestry primarily from south Europe, with only few possible non-local individuals•Cultural hybridization and complex genetic admixture in South Tyrol•A multiple burial hosts a father-son couple who belonged to a high-ranking familia
Human geography; Human Genetics; Paleogenetics; Archeology
To provide a detailed analysis and interpretation of cranial and postcranial lesions noted on an early medieval skeleton from the Italian Alps.
Individual (SK63) was buried within the early Christian ...church (5th-8th centuries AD) of Säben-Sabiona in South Tyrol (Italy).
The skeleton underwent macroscopic, microscopic and metric analyses.
SK63 was a 19–25 year old male, the analysis identified at least 29 lesions, consisting of three possible antemortem injuries and 26 perimortem sharp force injuries on the cranium (n = 4) and postcranium (n = 22).
The trauma pattern observed indicates that different bladed weapons were used and interpersonal violence rather than a large-scale conflict led to the death of SK63.
The present findings provide novel information on violent interpersonal interactions in early medieval Säben-Sabiona, Italy.
The sequence of the inflicted injuries was not reconstructed.
Future interdisciplinary investigations (i.e., 3D imaging and reconstructions) will provide a better understanding of the possible types of weapons used to inflict injuries, the required forces to create the lesions, as well as the directions of impact.
•In-depth scientific study of a rare painted shroud from a female Egyptian mummy.•Mummy dates to the 1st – 2nd century C.E. and was likely traced back to Upper Egypt.•Color palette consists of a few ...mineral pigments and plant-derived dyes.•Organic materials include animal fat, plant lipid, Pinaceae resin, gum, and beeswax.•Shroud and inner bandages were made of linen, now severely degraded.
This article describes a multi-analytical technical study of a rare painted shroud still wrapped around a female Egyptian mummy (MCABo EG 1974) in the collection of the Museo Civico Archeologico of Bologna, Italy. Long stored in the museum's warehouses, these mummified human remains were recently rediscovered within the Bologna Mummy Project (BOmp), an interdisciplinary endeavor promoted by the Museo Civico Archeologico and the Institute for Mummy Studies of Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy. Dating to the Roman period (1st-2nd century C.E.), as confirmed by radiocarbon dating, this mummy displays a unique series of technical features, including the exceptional finding of a colorful painted shroud still preserved in its original location around the wrapped body, to which it is secured with textile straps and resin. In this context, scientific analysis aimed to deepen our current knowledge of the artistic practices of Roman Egypt through an in-depth study of the painting technique, context of production, and possible provenance of the mummy, while promoting a science-informed, enhanced approach to the preservation of the mummified human remains. This research relied on an integrated analytical protocol based on the combined use of imaging and mapping techniques, non-invasive point analysis, and micro-invasive investigation of minute samples, each carried out at the different partnering institutions. Computed tomography (CT) highlighted varying radio-densities for some of the flesh tones and red decorations. Visible photography and multiband imaging provided information on the nature and distribution of various materials on the surface. Fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy contributed to the characterization of the shroud's color palette along with optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), as well as high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC/DAD and HPLC/MS). Materials detected include a limited number of mineral pigments and plant-derived dyes such as red lead, red ocher, madder, an unknown yellow dye, Egyptian blue and green, and a carbon-based black. Through access to MOLAB equipment and expertise, macro-XRF (MA-XRF), as well as combined X-ray diffraction (XRD) spot analysis and mapping, enhanced pigment identification. A combination of transmission Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify the paint binders and any additional organic substances possibly involved in embalming practices and ritual traditions, including animal fat, plant lipid, Pinaceae resin, gum, and beeswax. Mineralogical data gathered by XRD on surface deposits and soil residues collected from within the shroud's inner folds was crucial to put forward hypotheses, in support of the stylistic study of the shroud, concerning a possible provenance from Upper Egypt, most likely West Thebes. Both the shroud and inner bandages were found to be made with linen using OM. After undergoing scientific analysis and conservation treatment, the mummy was displayed in the “Mummies. Unwrapping the past” exhibition and was featured at the 10th World Congress on Mummy Studies, both held in Bolzano in the fall of 2022.
The history of humankind is marked by the constant adoption of new dietary habits affecting human physiology, metabolism, and even the development of nutrition-related disorders. Despite clear ...archaeological evidence for the shift from hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture in Neolithic Europe 1, very little information exists on the daily dietary habits of our ancestors. By undertaking a complementary -omics approach combined with microscopy, we analyzed the stomach content of the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old European glacier mummy 2, 3. He seems to have had a remarkably high proportion of fat in his diet, supplemented with fresh or dried wild meat, cereals, and traces of toxic bracken. Our multipronged approach provides unprecedented analytical depth, deciphering the nutritional habit, meal composition, and food-processing methods of this Copper Age individual.
•The last meal of the Iceman, a European Copper Age mummy, was reconstructed•Our multipronged approach deciphers the meal composition and food processing•His high-fat diet was supplemented with wild meat and cereals
Maixner et al. report the dietary reconstruction of the Iceman’s last meal using a combined multi-omics approach. The stomach content analysis of the 5,300-year-old glacier mummy shows that the Iceman’s diet preceding his death was a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, well adjusted to the energetic requirements of his high-altitude trekking.
The ancient Egyptians considered the heart to be the most important organ. The belief that the heart remained in the body is widespread in the archeological and paleopathological literature. The ...purpose of this study was to perform an overview of the preserved intrathoracic structures and thoracic and abdominal cavity filling, and to determine the prevalence and computed tomography (CT) characteristics of the myocardium in the preserved hearts of ancient Egyptian mummies. Whole‐body CT examinations of 45 ancient Egyptian mummies (23 mummies from the Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, Berlin, Germany, and 22 mummies from the Museo Egizio, Turin, Italy) were systematically assessed for preserved intrathoracic soft tissues including various anatomical components of the heart (pericardium, interventricular septum, four chambers, myocardium, valves). Additionally, evidence of evisceration and cavity filling was documented. In cases with identifiable myocardium, quantitative (measurements of thickness and density) and qualitative (description of the structure) assessment of the myocardial tissue was carried out. Heart structure was identified in 28 mummies (62%). In 33 mummies, CT findings demonstrated evisceration, with subsequent cavity filling in all but one case. Preserved myocardium was identified in nine mummies (five male, four female) as a mostly homogeneous, shrunken structure. The posterior wall of the myocardium had a mean maximum thickness of 3.6 mm (range 1.4–6.6 mm) and a mean minimum thickness of 1.0 mm (range 0.5–1.7 mm). The mean Hounsfield units (HU) of the myocardium at the posterior wall was 61 (range, 185–305). There was a strong correlation between the HU of the posterior wall of the myocardium and the mean HU of the muscles at the dorsal humerus (R = 0.77; p = 0.02). In two cases, there were postmortem changes in the myocardium, most probably due to insect infestation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the myocardium systematically on CT scans of ancient Egyptian mummies. Strong correlations between the densities of the myocardium and skeletal muscle indicated similar postmortem changes of the respective musculature during the mummification process within individual mummies. The distinct postmortem shrinking of the myocardium and the collapse of the left ventriclular cavity in several cases did not allow for paleopathological diagnoses such as myocardial scarring.
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