Antonino Vazzana

The dawn of dentistry in the late upper Paleolithic: An early case of pathological intervention at Riparo Fredian

OBJECTIVES Early evidence for the treatment of dental pathology is found primarily among food-producing societies associated with high levels of oral pathology. However, some Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers show extensive oral pathology, suggesting that experimentation with therapeutic dental interventions may have greater antiquity. Here, we report the second earliest probable evidence for dentistry in a Late Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer recovered from Riparo Fredian (Tuscany, Italy). MATERIALS AND METHODS The Fredian 5 human consists of an associated maxillary anterior dentition with antemortem exposure of both upper first incisor (I1 ) pulp chambers. The pulp chambers present probable antemortem modifications that warrant in-depth analyses and direct dating. Scanning electron microscopy, microCT and residue analyses were used to investigate the purported modifications of external and internal surfaces of each I1 . RESULTS The direct date places Fredian 5 between 13,000 and 12,740 calendar years ago. Both pulp chambers were circumferentially enlarged prior to the death of this individual. Occlusal dentine flaking on the margin of the cavities and striations on their internal aspects suggest anthropic manipulation. Residue analyses revealed a conglomerate of bitumen, vegetal fibers, and probable hairs adherent to the internal walls of the cavities. DISCUSSION The results are consistent with tool-assisted manipulation to remove necrotic or infected pulp in vivo and the subsequent use of a composite, organic filling. Fredian 5 confirms the practice of dentistry-specifically, a pathology-induced intervention-among Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers. As such, it appears that fundamental perceptions of biomedical knowledge and practice were in place long before the socioeconomic changes associated with the transition to food production in the Neolithic.

Unravelling biocultural population structure in 4th/3rd century BC Monterenzio Vecchio (Bologna, Italy) through a comparative analysis of strontium isotopes, non-metric dental evidence, and funerary practices

The 4th century BC marks the main entrance of Celtic populations in northern Italy. Their arrival has been suggested based on the presence of Celtic customs in Etruscan mortuary contexts, yet up to now few bioarchaeological data have been examined to support or reject the arrival of these newcomers. Here we use strontium isotopes, non-metric dental traits and funerary patterns to unravel the biocultural structure of the necropolis of Monterenzio Vecchio (Bologna, Italy). Subsamples of our total sample of 38 individuals were analyzed based on different criteria characterizing the following analyses: 1) strontium isotope analysis to investigate migratory patterns and provenance; 2) non-metric dental traits to establish biological relationships between Monterenzio Vecchio, 13 Italian Iron age necropolises and three continental and non-continental Celtic necropolises; 3) grave goods which were statistically explored to detect possible patterns of cultural variability. The strontium isotopes results indicate the presence of local and non-local individuals, with some revealing patterns of mobility. The dental morphology reveals an affinity between Monterenzio Vecchio and Iron Age Italian samples. However, when the Monterenzio Vecchio sample is separated by isotopic results into locals and non-locals, the latter share affinity with the sample of non-continental Celts from Yorkshire (UK). Moreover, systematic analyses demonstrate that ethnic background does not retain measurable impact on the distribution of funerary elements. Our results confirm the migration of Celtic populations in Monterenzio as archaeologically hypothesized on the basis of the grave goods, followed by a high degree of cultural admixture between exogenous and endogenous traits. This contribution shows that combining different methods offers a more comprehensive perspective for the exploration of biocultural processes in past and present populations.

Iron Age Italic population genetics: the Piceni from Novilara (8th–7th century BC)

Abstract Background: Archaeological data provide evidence that Italy, during the Iron Age, witnessed the appearance of the first communities with well defined cultural identities. To date, only a few studies report genetic data about these populations and, in particular, the Piceni have never been analysed. Aims: To provide new data about mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability of an Iron Age Italic population, to understand the contribution of the Piceni in shaping the modern Italian gene pool and to ascertain the kinship between some individuals buried in the same grave within the Novilara necropolis. Subjects and methods: In a first set of 10 individuals from Novilara, we performed deep sequencing of the HVS-I region of the mtDNA, combined with the genotyping of 22 SNPs in the coding region and the analysis of several autosomal markers. Results: The results show a low nucleotide diversity for the inhabitants of Novilara and highlight a genetic affinity of this ancient population with the current inhabitants of central Italy. No family relationship was observed between the individuals analysed here. Conclusions: This study provides a preliminary characterisation of the mtDNA variability of the Piceni of Novilara, as well as a kinship assessment of two peculiar burials.

Three cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip on partially mummified human remains (Roccapelago, Modena, 18th Century): a study of palaeopathological indicators through direct analysis and 3D virtual models

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is caused by a delay in the development of the acetabular cavity, leading to an anomaly in the angle of the acetabular roof. As a result, the femoral head and the acetabular cavity do not interact normally. The identification of three cases of DDH among the remains discovered in the most recent unit from the crypt at Roccapelago (Modena, Italy) enabled us to discuss the presence of DDH in this region during the 18th century. All three cases are bilateral and Dunn class I, two have been identified as male and one as female. These DDH cases are very likely mainly due to mechanical factors such as the breech position of the foetus, perhaps associated with birth order. But given their overall similarity, they may also have resulted from the practice of swaddling new-borns. In addition, current data from the Italian Ministry of Health suggests that the incidence of DDH has remained stable in this region from the 18th century to the present. The ongoing study of remains from earlier units should bring a better understanding of the particular prevalence of DDH at Roccapelago.RésuméLa dysplasie développementale de la hanche (DDH) résulte d’un retard dans le développement de la cavité acétabulaire conduisant à une altération de l’inclinaison du toit acétabulaire. En conséquence, la tête fémorale et la cavité cotyloïdienne n’interagissent pas normalement. L’identification de trois cas de DDH parmi les restes découverts dans l’unité stratigraphique la plus récente de la crypte de Roccapelago (Modène, Italie) nous permet de discuter de la présence de DDH dans cette région au cours du 18e siècle. Dans les trois cas, identifiés comme deux hommes et une femme, la pathologie est bilatérale et de classe Dunn I. Ces cas de DDH sont vraisemblablement principalement dus à des facteurs mécaniques tels que la position en siège du foetus, probablement associée au rang de naissance. Mais compte tenu de leur similitude globale, ils peuvent avoir été causés par l’utilisation de langes chez les nouveau-nés. En outre, les données actuelles du ministère italien de la Santé suggèrent que l’incidence de la DDH est demeurée stable dans cette région, du 18e siècle jusqu’à nos jours. L’étude en cours des restes des unités stratigraphiques antérieures favorisera une compréhension plus profonde de la particularité de la prévalence de DDH à Roccapelago.

Trois cas de dysplasie développementale de la hanche chez des individus partiellement momifiés (Roccapelago, Modène, 18e siècle): étude des indicateurs paléopathologiques par analyses directe et virtuelle

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is caused by a delay in the development of the acetabular cavity, leading to an anomaly in the angle of the acetabular roof. As a result, the femoral head and the acetabular cavity do not interact normally. The identification of three cases of DDH among the remains discovered in the most recent unit from the crypt at Roccapelago (Modena, Italy) enabled us to discuss the presence of DDH in this region during the 18th century. All three cases are bilateral and Dunn class I, two have been identified as male and one as female. These DDH cases are very likely mainly due to mechanical factors such as the breech position of the foetus, perhaps associated with birth order. But given their overall similarity, they may also have resulted from the practice of swaddling new-borns. In addition, current data from the Italian Ministry of Health suggests that the incidence of DDH has remained stable in this region from the 18th century to the present. The ongoing study of remains from earlier units should bring a better understanding of the particular prevalence of DDH at Roccapelago.RésuméLa dysplasie développementale de la hanche (DDH) résulte d’un retard dans le développement de la cavité acétabulaire conduisant à une altération de l’inclinaison du toit acétabulaire. En conséquence, la tête fémorale et la cavité cotyloïdienne n’interagissent pas normalement. L’identification de trois cas de DDH parmi les restes découverts dans l’unité stratigraphique la plus récente de la crypte de Roccapelago (Modène, Italie) nous permet de discuter de la présence de DDH dans cette région au cours du 18e siècle. Dans les trois cas, identifiés comme deux hommes et une femme, la pathologie est bilatérale et de classe Dunn I. Ces cas de DDH sont vraisemblablement principalement dus à des facteurs mécaniques tels que la position en siège du foetus, probablement associée au rang de naissance. Mais compte tenu de leur similitude globale, ils peuvent avoir été causés par l’utilisation de langes chez les nouveau-nés. En outre, les données actuelles du ministère italien de la Santé suggèrent que l’incidence de la DDH est demeurée stable dans cette région, du 18e siècle jusqu’à nos jours. L’étude en cours des restes des unités stratigraphiques antérieures favorisera une compréhension plus profonde de la particularité de la prévalence de DDH à Roccapelago.