Archaeo-biological reconstruction of the Italian medieval population of Colonna (8th-10th centuries CE)

This study aims to offer a palaeobiological reconstruction of the Early Medieval (8th-10th centuries CE) population of Colonna, a small town close to Rome. Archaeological excavations, conducted between June 2007 and January 2008, investigated a 1200 m(2) area, unearthing 73 graves. Morphological and biomolecular analyses have been conducted in order to reconstruct not only biological features but also standards of living, diet and health status to reach a full bioarchaeological reconstruction of this Medieval population. The minimum number of individuals (MNI) is 144: 62% adults and 38% sub-adults. Among adults there is a higher number of males than females (M:F=1.41), but with low sexual dimorphism. All the age classes are represented even if among sub-adults mortality is higher in 3 to 9 year old children, whereas in the adult sample differences in mortality between sexes are probably linked to pregnancy and childbirth. Muscle markers indicating heavy and strenuous daily activities as well as evidence for poor sanitary and hygienic conditions were noted. Furthermore, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of bone collagen from 58 individuals (44 adults, 14 sub-adults) and 7 faunal remains revealed a predominantly terrestrial diet with probably higher animal protein consumption by adult males, suggesting social differentiation within the Colonna community. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.