Bioarchaeological approach to the study of the medieval population of Santa Severa (Rome, 7th-15th centuries)

Abstract The present research utilizes archaeology and physical anthropology to reconstruct the demography, occupational stress markers and health conditions of individuals that lived during the medieval era in Santa Severa (Rome, Italy). The cemetery recovered during the restoration of the Castle of Santa Severa dates back to 1232 ± 40 BP (680–890 cal.)–1004 ± 30 BP (970–1060 cal.), as regards Casa del Nostromo , and to 883 ± 40 BP (1040–1220 cal.)–531 ± 35 BP (1380–1450 cal.) for Piazza della Rocca , according to 14 C analyses on four bone samples corresponding to the most superior and inferior stratigraphic levels. This range of dates ascribes the burials to the transition period between the Early and Late medieval era. The goal of the present research was to analyze one of the largest Italian medieval communities using a morphological approach to reconstruct its osteobiography. The complex comprised a total of 455 individuals: 118 juveniles and 256 adults (M:F = 1.4). All age classes were represented, meaning that, even if the area were not completely excavated, the analyzed series could be considered representative of the population from which it comes. The sample exhibited a high degree of biomechanical stress related to daily tasks, mainly affecting the upper limbs and involving both the shoulder and the pelvic girdle. Several pathologies were detected; the most common appeared to be degenerative and infectious diseases, though some cases of congenital disorders could also be observed. Regarding the dental pathology, low frequencies of caries, abscesses and antemortem tooth loss were detected in spite of a high prevalence of dental calculus. These results seem to suggest that subsistence was based on both agriculture and farming.