Grotta dei Pipistrelli: osteological evidence of a young adult individual (Lucca, Italy)

Abstract

In 2003, the Grotta dei Pipistrelli cave near Casoli in the Val di Lima, Lucca, yielded a human skeleton alongside a 17^th century coin and animal remains. Anthropological analysis of the remains enabled the reconstruction of the biological profile of a young adult, likely male, aged approximately 22 years and measuring 164 cm in height. Paleopathological analysis revealed skeletal changes mainly at muscle and tendon attachment sites, which are likely to have been caused by chronic biomechanical stress. Some oral pathologies were also identified. Dental pathologies such as caries, abscesses, and antemortem tooth loss may be indicative of a carbohydrate-rich diet, which is consistent with the rural apennine context of tuscany.