Anthropological research and 3D documentation: Tomb Y of the Church of St. Bartholomew in Caltavuturo, PA

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the bioarchaelogical investigation of «Tomb Y», a single inhumation burial unearthed during the 2018 excavation campaign at the medieval site of Terravecchia di Caltavuturo (PA). The tomb was identified within the central nave of the Church of San Bartolomeo. The archaeological investigation revealed a single individual, oriented east-west, originally interred in a wooden coffin. The excavation's documentation protocol systematically employed 3D photogrammetry to create a high-fidelity digital record of the burial context, enabling detailed post-excavation spatial analysis. The anthropological analysis, conducted in collaboration with the Laboratory of Anthropology at the University of Palermo, allowed the reconstruction of the individual's biological profile, identifying a probable adult female. The paleopathological study revealed markers of occupational stress on the vertebral column and the hip joint, as well as several dental pathologies. These findings contribute to a broader research project aimed at reconstructing the living conditions, health, and activities of the population that inhabited this ancient settlement