Archaeoanthropology

La investigación de la escena de un crimen cometido hace más de 1200 años

by Corina Liesau von Lettow-Vorbeck

GÓMEZ PÉREZ, J. L. y LIESAU VON LETTOW-VORBECK, C.
Revista para Biólogos, 23 : 14-17 (2010).

Looking for the Archaeological Signature in Australian Megafaunal Extinctions

by Stephen Wroe

Field, J.,  Wroe, S., Trueman, C., Garvey, J., & Wyatt-Spratt, S. (In Press) Looking for the Archaeological Signature in Australian Megafaunal Extinctions. Quaternary International.

A Reply to Comment by Brook Et Al.``Would the Australian Megafauna Have Become Extinct If Humans Had Never Colonized the Continent?''

by Stephen Wroe

Overdone overkill - the archaeological perspective on Tasmanian megafaunal extinctions

by Stephen Wroe

Cosgrove, R., Field, J., Garvey, J., Brenner-Coltrain, J., Goede, A., Charles,B., Wroe, S., Pike-Tay, A., Grün, R., Aubert, M., Lees, W., O'Connell, J. (2010) Overdone overkill – The archaeological perspective on Tasmanian megafaunal extinctions, Journal of Archaeological Science, 37: 2486-2503.

To investigate the timing of extinctions in Tasmania and examine the latest claims, new excavations and systematic... more To investigate the timing of extinctions in Tasmania and examine the latest claims, new excavations and systematic surveys of limestone caves in south central Tasmania were undertaken. Our project failed to show any clear archaeological overlap of humans and megafauna but demonstrated that vigilance is needed when claiming survival of megafauna species based on old or suspect chronologies. The results of our six-years of fieldwork and dating form the first part of the present paper while, in the second part we assess the data advanced by Turney et al. (2008) for the late survival of seven megafauna species. A model of human prey selection and the reasons for the demise of a range of marsupials, now extinct, are discussed in the third part of the paper.

The craniomandibular mechanics of being human (Proc Roy Soc B)

by Stephen Wroe

Stephen Wroe, Toni L. Ferrara, Colin R. McHenry, Darren Curnoe and Uphar Chamoli 2010 The craniomandibular mechanics of being human. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B. email for full PDF: s.wroe@unsw.edu.au

Diminished bite force has been considered a defining feature of modern Homo sapiens, an interpretation inferred from... more Diminished bite force has been considered a defining feature of modern Homo sapiens, an interpretation inferred from the application of two-dimensional lever mechanics and the relative gracility of the humanmasticatory musculature and skull.This conclusion has various implicationswith regard to the evolution of human feeding behaviour. However, human dental anatomy suggests a capacity to withstand high loads and two-dimensional lever models greatly simplify muscle architecture, yielding less accurate results than three dimensional modelling using multiple lines of action. Here, to our knowledge, in the most comprehensive three-dimensional finite element analysis performed to date for any taxon, we ask whether the traditional view that the bite of H. sapiens is weak and the skull too gracile to sustain high bite forces is supported. We further introduce a new method for reconstructing incomplete fossil material. Our findings show that the human masticatory apparatus is highly efficient, capable of producing a relatively powerful bite using low muscle forces. Thus, relative to other members of the superfamily Hominoidea, humans can achieve relatively high bite forces,while overall stresses are reduced. Our findings resolve apparently discordant lines of evidence, i.e. the presence of teeth well adapted to sustain high loads within a lightweight cranium and mandible.

A review of the evidence for a human role in the extinction of Australian megafauna (QSR)

by Stephen Wroe

Wroe, S., and Field, J. Quaternary Science Reviews 25 (2006) 2692–2703

Arguments that megafaunal extinctions in Australia were anthropogenically mediated have focused on establishing... more Arguments that megafaunal extinctions in Australia were anthropogenically mediated have focused on establishing terminal appearance ages. This approach has been underpinned by three principle tenets: (1) if megafauna disappeared before significant climate change, but after human colonisation, then it can be inferred that extinctions were human mediated; (2) climate change within the last glacial cycle was unremarkable relative to previous cycles; and (3) all or most Pleistocene megafauna were present when people arrived on the continent. We review the evidence for human causation and note mounting evidence suggesting that the last 400–300 ka in Australia has been characterised by escalating aridity and climatic variability, culminating in the breach of a hydrological threshold within the last glacial cycle. Only 21 species (35%) of megafauna whose disappearance has been attributed to human activity are known to have
persisted after the Penultimate Glacial Maximum, a time of undoubtedly severe climate change. Thus, 39 species of megafauna (65%) cannot be reliably placed within 85,000 years of firm evidence for human arrival, ca 50–43 ka. At most eight species (13%) were clearly present at this time. Four or more persisted until the onset of full glacial conditions at ca 30 ka. We argue for a falsifiable model of staggered extinction in which most megafaunal extinctions predated human arrival and with the influence of people as a minor superimposition on broader trends in train since middle Pleistocene times.

Causes of extinction of vertebrates during the Holocene of mainland Australia (Holocene)

by Stephen Wroe

Johson, C., & Wroe, S. 2003. Causes of extinction of vertebrates during the Holocene of mainland Australia. The Holocene, 13: 109-116.

Immunological identification of Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania infantum in the skeletal remains of the Medici family

by Gino Fornaciari

Co authored with Bianucci R, Trisciuoglio A, Giuffra V, Brier B, Ferroglio E, published in 'Abstracts del XVIII Congresso dell'Associazione Antropologica Italiana" Firenze, 1-4 ottobre 2009, pp. 228-229

Il “Progetto Medici”: primi risultati dello studio paleopatologico dei Granduchi di Toscana (secoli XVI-XVIII)

by Gino Fornaciari

published in 'Archivio per l'Antropologia e la Etnologia', 2009, 138: 138-157

Within the framework of the Medici Project, a paleopathological team of experts from the University of Pisa, the... more Within the framework of the Medici Project, a paleopathological team of experts from the University of Pisa, the University of Florence and the Superintendence for Florentine Museums, is carrying out a study on 49 tombs of some of the Medici family members (16th-18th centuries) housed in the so-called Medici Chapels of the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. The project involves disciplines such as paleopathology, funerary archeology, physical anthropology, paleonutrition, parasitology, histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, molecular biology, and identification of ancient pathogens. The most recent biomedical technologies have been employed to obtain as much information as possible about the genetic make-up, eating habits, life styles and diseases of these important rulers of Renaissance Florence.
We report only the first, very partial results of the investigations of 15 out of 49 tombs, including the burials of nine children. The laboratory studies are still in progress. Another 39 burials, the majority of which almost intact, will be explored in the next two years, and important results are expected. We can state that the global study of the Medici funerary depositions and bodies will increase considerably not only the current knowledge of the diseases and life habits, but also of the personality of the members of that dynasty, so important for the Italian Renaissance.
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Plasmodium falciparum immunodetection in bone remains of members of the Renaissance Medici family (Florence, Italy, sixteenth century)

by Gino Fornaciari

Co-authored with Giuffra V, Ferroglio E, Gino S, Bianucci R, published in 'Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene', 2010, 104: on line

Medical accounts and ancient autopsy reports imply that tertian malarial fevers caused the death of four members of... more Medical accounts and ancient autopsy reports imply that tertian malarial fevers caused the death of four members of the Medici family of Florence: Eleonora of Toledo (1522–1562), Cardinal Giovanni (1543–1562), don Garzia (1547–1562) and Grand Duke Francesco I (1531–1587).
All members of the Medici family hunted in the endemic malarial areas of Tuscany, such as the marshy areas surrounding their villas and along the swampy Maremma and were, therefore, highly exposed to the risk of being infected by Falciparum malaria. To determine if the original death certificates issued by the court physicians were correct, we carried out immunological investigations and then compared the biological results to the historical sources.
Bone samples were examined for the presence of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich- protein-2 (PfHRP2) and P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) using two different qualitative double–antibody immunoassays.
Our findings provide the first modern laboratory evidence of the presence of P. falciparum ancient proteins in the skeletal remains of four members of the Medici family. We confirm the clinical diagnosis of the court physicians, using modern methods.
Finally, this study demonstrates that immunodetection can be successfully applied not only to mummified tissues but also to skeletal remains, thus opening new paths of investigation for large archaeological series.

The rector of the hospital and his wife: two artificial mummies of the late 15th century from Siena (central Italy)

by Gino Fornaciari

co-authored with Valentina Giuffra, Antonio Giuseppe Naccarato, Davide Caramella, Antonio Fornaciari, Silvia Marvelli. Published in P. Atoche, C .Rodriguez & Ma. A. Ramirez (eds ), Mummies and Science: World Mummies Research, VI World Congress on Mummy Studies, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 2008: pp. 529-536

Two artificial mummies found in the hospital church of S. Maria delta Scala in Siena (Tuscany, central Italy) and... more Two artificial mummies found in the hospital church of S. Maria delta Scala in Siena (Tuscany, central Italy) and dated back to the end of the 15™ century, were examined. The mummies, in good state of preservation and still wearing their Renaissance clothes, were identified as the rector of the hospital, named Salimbene Capacci, and his wife, Margherita Sozzini. Imaging studies. X-rays and CAT were performed, Autopsy made it possible to ascertain that the bodies had been eviscerated by a longitudinal cut from the neck to the pubis and that the thoracic and abdominal cavities had been filled with vegetable material. The pelvis was not eviscerated and the pelvic organs were conserved. The skull showed no traces of craniotomy or
excerebration.

Le mummie aragonesi in San Domenico Maggiore di Napoli

by Gino Fornaciari

published in 'Medicina nei Secoli 18: 843-864, 2007'

The paleopathological study of 31 Italian Renaissance mummies from the Basilica of S. Domenico Maggiore in Naples has... more The paleopathological study of 31 Italian Renaissance mummies from the Basilica of S. Domenico Maggiore in Naples has allowed us to perform about 20 diagnoses, of which 5 concern infectious (smallpox, hepatitis, condyloma, syphilis and pneumonia), 3 metabolic (obesity, atherosclerosis, gallstones), 1 articular (DISH) and 2 neoplastic (colon adenocarcinoma and skin carcinoma) diseases. The mummy of an anonymous child, dated back to the 16th century (14C: 1569±60), presented a diffuse vesiculo-pustular exanthema. Macroscopic aspects and regional distribution suggested smallpox, while EM revealed many egg-shaped, virus-like particles (250 x 50 nm), with a central dense core.  Following incubation with anti-smallpox virus antiserum and protein A-gold complex immunostaining, the particles resulted completely covered with protein A-gold.  These results clearly show that this Neapolitan child died of a severe form of smallpox some four centuries ago.  The mummy of Maria d'Aragona, Marquise of Vasto (1503-1568), revealed on the left arm an oval, cutaneous ulcer (15x10 mm) with linen dressing.  Indirect immunofluorescence with anti-treponema pallidum antibody identified a large number of filaments with the morphological characteristics of fluorescent treponemes.  Electron microscopy evidenced typical spirochetes, with axial fibril.  These findings clearly demonstrate a treponemal, probably venereal, infection. Further examination of the mummy showed a large peduncolate arborescent neoformation (2x7 mm) of the right inguinal region, which was rehydrated and submitted to histology by hematoxylin-eosin, Van Gieson and Masson’s trichromic staining. Light microscopy evidenced an exophytic, papillary skin lesion, with typical connective axis and pronounced parakeratosis. These macroscopic and histological aspects seemed peculiar of condyloma acuminatum, a papillomavirus-induced squamous lesion also called “venereal wart”. Molecular study revealed the presence of HPV 18, a  virus with high oncogenic potential. Automated sequencing of several clones revealed 100% similarity sequences of both HPV 18 and JC9813 DNA, a putative novel  HPV with low oncogenic potential. This study represents the first molecular diagnosis of HPV in mummies and could pave the way for further research about the secular evolution of these viruses, very important in human oncology. The buccal surfaces of the teeth of Isabella d’Aragona, duchess of Milan ((1470-1524), covered by a black patina with high mercury levels, have been intensively and intentionally abraded. The black patina can be attributed to chronic mercury intoxication, used therapeutically in the treatment of syphilis. The mummy of Ferrante I d'Aragona, King of Naples (1431-1494), revealed an adenocarcinoma extensively infiltrating the muscles of the small pelvis.  A molecular study of the neoplastic tissue evidenced a typical mutation of the K-ras gene codon 12: the normal sequence GGT (glycine) was altered into GAT (aspartic acid).  At present this genetic change is the most frequent mutation of the K-ras gene in sporadic colorectal cancer. The alimentary "environment" of the Neapolitan court of the XV century, with its abundance of natural alimentary alkylating agents, well explains this acquired mutation.. These and other diseases as, for example, a case of cirrhosis, some cases of anthracosis and other peculiar traumatic conditions, such as a mortal stab-wound, can elucidate the pathocenosis of this  wealthy classes of the Italian Renaissance.

Paleopatologia delle mummie naturali dell'Abruzzo interno (secoli XVIII-XIX)

by Gino Fornaciari

Co-authored with Ventura L, Miranda G, Mercurio C, Ciocca F, published in 'Medicina nei Secoli' 18: 875-896, 2007.

The inner Abruzzo region is a land of mountains and highlands with cold, dry climate, in which we started a systematic... more The inner Abruzzo region is a land of mountains and highlands with cold, dry climate, in which we started a systematic search of human remains.
The five natural mummies found in the friary of San Giorgio degli Osservanti in Goriano Valli showed excellent preservation. Paleopathologic investigations demonstrated goiter, prostatic hyperplasia, arteriosclerosis, pneumonia, pulmonary silicoanthracosis, and two neoplasms.
The series from the church of the Santissima Trinità in Popoli includes at least eight mummified bodies buried in a crypt. During a preliminary investigation we studied a 35-40 year old nobleman with poor dental status, costal fractures and a renal stone.
The recovery of mummified human remains in the church of San Sebastiano in Navelli yielded 206 individuals. The initial paleopathologic analysis identified parodontal disease, fractures, tumors, degenerative joint diseases and traces of post-mortem examination. The presence of so many subjects represents a rich cultural heritage, confirming the great paleopathologic interest of the region.

Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici was not his brother's killer: Grand Duke Francesco I of Tuscany died of malaria

by Gino Fornaciari

Co-authored with Bianucci R, Giuffra V, Loesch S, Ferroglio E, Nerlich AG; published in '18th European Meeting of the Paleopathology Association', Program and Abstracts, Vienna 23-26 August, 2010, p. 51

Cysticercosis in an Egyptian Mummy of the Late Ptolemaic Period

by Gino Fornaciari

Co-authored with F Bruschi, M Masetti, MT Locci, R Ciranni, published in 'American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 74: 598-599, 2006

We describe here an ancient case of cysticercosis that was discovered in an Egyptian mummy of a young woman of about... more We describe here an ancient case of cysticercosis that was discovered in an Egyptian mummy of a young woman of about 20 years of age who lived in the late Ptolemaic period (second to first centuries B.C.). On removal of the stomach and its rehydration, a cystic lesion in the stomach wall was observed by naked eye. Microscopical examination of sections of this lesion revealed a cystic structure, with a wall, with numerous projecting eversions, a characteristic feature of the larval stage (cysticercus) of the human tapeworm Taenia solium (or “pig tapeworm”). Immunohistochemical testing with serum from a T. solium–infected human confirmed the identity of the cyst. This finding is the oldest on record of the antiquity of this zoonotic parasite. This observation also confirms that, in Hellenistic Egypt, the farming of swine, along with man an intermediate host of this parasite, was present, and supports other archeological evidence.