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Differentiating cremated non-human bones from human ones in archaeological contexts is a challenging task. This analysis aims at proposing a rather solid criterion based on an osteoarchaeological sample. In this work, the main issues of taxonomic identification of cremated remains are analysed and a research methodology tested on an Italian protohistoric sample is proposed. The 314 subjects composing the sample come from 298 tombs of the Golasecca Civilization (1st millennium BC in north-eastern Italy). On a morphological basis, 246 bone fragments were selected from which as many thin sections were obtained for a histomorphological evaluation. From the analyses, we identified the presence of animals in burials, whereas a mere morphometric analysis was not able to recognize them. Furthermore, the taxonomic identification has allowed us to propose new hypotheses on the funerary rite of Golasecca linked to the zooarchaeological remains.

Funerary archaeoentomology is the discipline that studies insects and other arthropods in archaeological contexts, with a particular focus on the funerary domain. The presence of specific species, such as necrophagous beetles or saprophagous flies, can provide crucial evidence regarding post-mortem conditions—whether bodies were left exposed to the air or buried suddenly after death—and whether they underwent particular preservation practices, such as desiccation or embalming. This study concentrates on entomological specimens collected from three mummified bodies at the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona in the province of Verona (northeast Italy), aiming to reconstruct aspects of funerary practices, especially the season of death and the authenticity of the garments worn by the mummified individuals. Insects were manually collected from bodies belonging to three hermits living between the 17th and 19th centuries. A complex entomofauna consisting of Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and minor taxa was collected and analyzed. Diptera puparia, primarily from the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Fanniidae, were the most abundant entomological elements recovered. Their presence suggests potential exposure of the bodies before burial and indicates that death likely occurred during a mild period of the year (end of spring/beginning of autumn). The co-occurrence of holes caused by maggots on the hermits’ skin and their garments allows us to speculate about the authenticity of the clothing used during the funerary rituals. By combining entomological evidence with textile analysis, this research offers a more precise understanding of historical funerary practices within this devotional context. It sheds light on methods of managing human remains, burial traditions, and preservation techniques, particularly regarding the clothing of the deceased.

We discuss the probable presence of tuberculosis in non-adults of a medieval rural community in northern Italy with a biocultural perspective. Before birth, mother and child have a closely interconnected relationship, as suggested by the role of microchimerism on maternal health. To better understand maternal–child health and related stress factors, paleopathology has investigated the potential of this relationship in recent years. Diseases with environmental development factors such as infections depend on and are strongly affected by maternal control variables such as, for example, breastfeeding and the growth environment. This article presents ISZ2, the second possible case of childhood tuberculosis identified in northeastern Italy through recent paleopathological criteria. The subject is of primary importance as it not only represents a direct testimony of this infectious disease otherwise known only from historical sources, but also increases our knowledge on the state of health of infants in this area, which to date are scarcely analyzed.

The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are and will continue to be devastating for the tourism sector, especially for the cultural one. It is necessary to reflect on the new strategies to be adopted to deal with the heavy losses that the world of cultural heritage is suffering. The great archaeological attractions will no longer be able to accommodate the prepandemic numbers and therefore we must also think of alternative routes to present the minor heritage of our country. In recent years, our experience has allowed us to realize an open-air museum project in bioarchaeological sites (archaeological cemetery areas characterized by the recovery of human remains) that are part of an archaeological heritage that is little known, but which reserve great dissemination and fruition potential. The design of an archaeological itinerary, even a virtual one, which includes the bioarchaeological sites that we are musealizing, could offer a new visiting experience, especially in this difficult moment for all of us.

Systematic studies on Late Islamic cemeteries that integrate architectural, ritual, and biological aspects remain relatively rare, particularly in Islamic countries or regions with an active Muslim presence. Typically, available research focuses more on epigraphic and artistic features. Since 2018, excavations at the Cathedral and surveys in the ruins of the city of Adulis (Massawa, Eritrea) have uncovered 326 Muslim graves: six dating to the 15th and 18th centuries CE and 320 attributed to the mid-19th to the early 20th century CE. These discoveries have enabled, for the first time in Eritrea, a detailed scientific study of the biological characteristics of the human remains, the funerary architecture, and the burial rites of Muslim communities from the 15th to the early 20th century. The skeletal remains were analyzed through taphonomic and anthropological studies. The graves were categorized into various typologies based on their structural features, while evidence of funerary rituals was documented as indicative elements of the burial practices adopted. These findings were further enriched by ethnographic sources and collaborative work with local communities, who acted as custodians of the historical memory and traditions of the region. The results provide insights into a historical period of Eritrea that is otherwise poorly documented. More broadly, they contribute to the understanding of the history of the Horn of Africa, a region with limited data from funerary and archaeological contexts. The Muslim cemeteries of Adulis represent the most extensively investigated Muslim burial site in recent years, providing critical insights into the historical Muslim presence in the region. These findings also allow researchers to hypothesize the succession of various communities that chose Adulis as a central location for interring their deceased, reflecting its enduring significance as a focal point for cultural and ritual practices across different periods.

This study presents an interdisciplinary analysis of six non-adult petrified specimens prepared by the Italian scientist Paolo Gorini (1813–1881) in Lodi, Lombardy, during the 19th century. Housed since 1981 in the Old Hospital, these individuals represent the entire known corpus of Gorini’s preserved children. The research combined macroscopic inspection, radiographic imaging, anthropological assessment, and entomological observations to document biological characteristics, embalming techniques, and conservation needs. Radiographic analysis enabled the estimation of ages at death, ranging from approximately 1.5–12 months, and provided detailed information on skeletal development, dental formation, and pathological conditions. Soft tissues were preserved to an exceptional degree, allowing for the identification of dermal, muscular, and visceral structures. Notable modifications, such as intraorbital inserts, revealed Gorini’s attention to appearance and presentation. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of Gorini’s petrification process, now better understood through recent discoveries of his embalming formulae. His technique achieved both anatomical preservation and long-term stability, even in fragile non-adult individuals. Beyond technical achievements, the specimens reflect broader 19th-century cultural attitudes toward childhood, mortality, and commemoration in a period of elevated death rates. By integrating biological, historical, and conservation perspectives, this study contributes both to the documentation of a unique anatomical collection and to the safeguarding of its future. It also situates Gorini’s work within the scientific and cultural milieu of his time, highlighting the intersection of experimental anatomy, public display, and the desire for permanence over death.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1492328.].

Paleoradiology has become a standard diagnostic method in the study of mummified or embalmed bodies. Among the various available techniques, computed tomography valuing for its ability to provide detailed information. However, computed tomography equipment is not always accessible to research teams, cannot be easily transported to all conservation sites, and raises health concerns. Therefore, mobile digital radiographic technology is often the most suitable investigative tool in specific contexts. In this study, three mummies preserved at the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona, perched on a cliff above the Adige River Valley on the Monte Baldo at an elevation of 775 m a.s.l., were analyzed using radiographic techniques. The impossibility of transferring the bodies due to the sanctuary’s remote location imposed the use of lightweight, portable equipment for the radiological examination. This article highlights next-generation X-ray technology utility, potential, and limitations in investigating clothing fabrics, restoration history, taphonomy, entomology, anthropology, and paleopathology. The interdisciplinary approach in this study has unveiled new historical and biological insights about these mummies, which, though revered in popular devotion, had previously been unknown to both Italian and international scientific communities.