La Valle dei Templi in epoca medievale. Caratterizzazione antropologica e paleopatologica delle sepolture antistanti il Tempio della Concordia

Abstract

This research presents the results of the bio-archaeological analyzes carried out on human skeletal remains found in fourteen burials of Medieval chronology at the Archaeological Park of Valle dei Templi in Agrigentum (Sicily). The aim of the research was the acquisition of the information necessary for the reconstruction of the biological profile of each individual, throught the determination of sex, the estimate of the biological age at death, the estimate of height and the evaluation of pathologies and markers of occupational stress through current anthropological diagnostic methodologies and techniques. Althought the poor state of conservation of some individuals has not allowed their whole anthropological characterization, the investigations have highlighted the heterogeneity relating to the age groups and have allowed us to ascertain the presence of pathological alterations in subjects of mature age, sometimes of unknown etiology, such as DISH (Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis). The sample size is not representative of the entire population, but subsequent insights will provide a better understanding of the population dynamics of Medieval Agrigentum.