Papers by Gabriele Lauria
Anthropological Review, 2025
In recent years, the debate about the early human peopling of Sicily has almost exclusively focus... more In recent years, the debate about the early human peopling of Sicily has almost exclusively focused on the archaeological evidence. The dispersal patterns and the possibility for, and degree of, admixture caused by ancient migratory flows have been only investigated in limited anthropological studies conducted on a short time spans. Recent craniofacial morphometric analyses that considered migratory flows and population influx have provided a more comprehensive approach. These analyses go beyond archaeologically based settlement hypotheses by merging previous archaeological evaluations and paleoclimatic studies with an anthropological approach. This study expands upon earlier morphometric work and provides an overview covering the period from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Iron Age. For this study, human skulls from Sicilian Prehistory and Protohistory were considered. These skulls were divided into six periods based on the dating of associated archaeological artifacts. Sample selection was based on a detailed bibliographic review of previously published archaeological and historical works. With the aim of associating the diachronic changes in cranial morphology with population migrations and admixture we performed a 3D geometric morphometrics (GM) comparative analysis. The data reported demonstrate that the first colonization of Sicily started during the Upper-Paleolithic when stable climatic conditions allowed hunter-gatherers to move from the Italian Peninsula to the island. Moreover, the results show a cyclical occupation of the land counterclockwise direction completed only with the hinterland colonization in the first historical periods with Greek and Punic colonization.
Archivio per l’Antropologia e la Etnologia, 2024
Human Stature is a widely used index of both individuals and populations. Stature is a sensitive ... more Human Stature is a widely used index of both individuals and populations. Stature is a sensitive measure of a series of factors including gender, age, social status, and environment. Human biologists and historians can use information on stature to better understand the human condition through the ages. There are three goals of this paper: 1. review previous studies of height; 2. remeasure adult bones and expand sample sizes; 3. provide three free databases (long bone length; average height of populations; average agerelated stature. However, the aim of this paper is not to present an exhaustive analysis of the Secular trend in Sicily. The samples range from the Paleolithic to the Contemporary Age. The data consist of measures from 82 adult specimens and includes the average stature of 28 Sicilian populations and the average stature from 11 different periods (plus modern Italians). A few examples of statistical analyses are presented to illustrate the potential, reliability, and reproducibility
of the databases.
Perimortem cranial injury in the Bronze Age. A blunt object to the right parietal caused trauma in a preadolescent individual from Mokarta (Salemi-Sicily)
International Journal of Osteoarchaeolgy, 2024
Sicilian protohistory was characterized by a progressive flow of indigenous populations towards t... more Sicilian protohistory was characterized by a progressive flow of indigenous populations towards the hills of the western Sicilian hinterland. Especially during the Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age, the island's hinterland was marked by isolated settlements due to Siculi, Ausoni, Morgeti, and Elimi invasions and Phoenician and Greek
colonization. In this scenario, Mokarta is an example of territorial autonomy and ethnic isolation (Sicanian) within an area of Elimi colonization. Its demise in the 11th century B.C.E, presumably at the hands of the Elimi, was rapid and violent as the settlement was suddenly abandoned following its destruction by fire. Symbolic of this event is an individual found at the entrance of a burned and collapsed hut who appears to have died from a cranial injury. This paper focuses on the osteological analysis of this skeleton, highlighting the perimortem injury, related to his death, and places the results within a forensic archeological context. The morphological pattern of the lesion is the result of a high-energy impact by a circular blunt object. The fracture, involving both the meningeal vessels and the brain, could have led to a fatal neurological trauma. The analysis of the cranial fracture and an anatomical evaluation
of the affected area led us to conclude that the perimortem injury, inflicted on the right parietal, probably was the cause of death. The case proposed highlights how an integrated approach based on bioarcheology and forensic anthropology helps in interpreting an archeological scenario and formulating hypotheses about the circumstances of an individual's death.
Archivio per l’Antropologia e la Etnologia, 2023
Teeth due to their peculiar structure and composition are the most durable elements
of animal bo... more Teeth due to their peculiar structure and composition are the most durable elements
of animal bodies and therefore the most common osteological remains in collections. The abundance of teeth in collections means that they are subject to extensive research that today constitutes a well-defined discipline called Odontology. Fortunately, through appropriate anatomical and comparative studies teeth can be informative about phylogenetic history and evolutionary mechanisms of species. Variations in teeth, including dimensional variations, are commonly used in physical anthropology as a powerful diagnostic tool.
This paper aims to provide a free database of adult human tooth measurements. The database consists of a series of maxilla and mandible mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters (711 measures) taken on the premolars and molars from 19 Sicilian sites that belong to the Mesolithic up to modern times. It is not our intention, at this time, to provide an extensive ontological study. Instead, we illustrate with a simple example of how the database can be used. The example shows the database is reliable and reproducible.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2023
The biological life history of infants from archaeological contexts can provide a unique insight ... more The biological life history of infants from archaeological contexts can provide a unique insight into past human populations. Dental mineralized tissues contain a permanent record of their growth that can provide access to the prenatal and early infant life, and mortality, of human skeletons. This study focuses on the histomorphometric analysis of deciduous teeth from the ‘Archaic Necropolis’ of Motya (7th–6th century BCE, Sicily–Italy). The histomorphometric analysis is conducted on prenatal and postnatal enamel of eight anterior deciduous teeth from seven individuals from this Phoenician population to estimate their chronological age-at-death, health, and enamel growth parameters. Proteomic analysis has been used to determine the sex of the infants.
The presence of the Neonatal Line in all specimens indicates that the seven individuals survived birth. The occurrence of at least one Accentuated Line in prenatal enamel in four out of seven individuals suggests the foetuses and/or their mothers experienced a stress-related event during pregnancy. As expected, there was limited variation in Daily Secretion Rates near the Enamel Dentine Junction. These rates increase toward the outer enamel surface and decrease toward the cervix.
Our findings illustrate the importance of dental histology for reconstructing perinatal and early infancy mortality and morbidity patterns at Motya, which sheds light on the socio-cultural perception of new-borns and infants in an ancient Phoenician community.
Heritage - Special Issue "Recent Advances in Digital Archaeology and Bioarchaeology", 2023
The geographic position, isolation, and the long and dynamic history of colonization created a hu... more The geographic position, isolation, and the long and dynamic history of colonization created a human context in Sicily that allows for a particular anthropological study; information about "migratory flow" and "population influx" could be investigated in the cranial morphology of a localized geographical region. The research goals are the identification of temporal trends in facial morphology in order to assess the adaptations and the microevolutionary trends and to verify if the cranial morphology of humans was modified by the various genetic contributions and more or less related to the intense and significant migratory flows. This work includes a diachronic morphometrics study of 3D models of 95 Sicilian skulls coming from 19 populations (from the Paleolithic to the Contemporary Age), providing an overview of human biodiversity and variability in Sicily. To achieve this, a geometric morphometrics analysis of the facial features of adult human skulls was performed. The approach used allows for the identification of the main micro-anatomical and micro-evolutionary features. Considering sample size/composition, it has been possible to discriminate between prehistorical and historical populations. The results highlight a series of morphological changes related to different migratory flows that have followed one another with different intensities and effectiveness starting from the Prehistory up to the Contemporary Age. The human peopling of Sicily is a subject of continuous debate; however, this study points to the coexistence of microevolutionary patterns and population dynamics, with the latter being one of the main causes of the morphological variations.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. Volume 14, issue 3. Article 42, 2022
Photogrammetry is a survey technique that allows for the building of three-dimensional (3D) model... more Photogrammetry is a survey technique that allows for the building of three-dimensional (3D) models from digitized output data. In recent years, it has been confirmed as one of the best techniques to build 3D models widely used in several fields such as life and earth sciences, medicine, architecture, topography, archaeology, crime scene investigation, cinematography, and engineering. Close-range photogrammetry, in particular, has several applications in osteological studies allowing to create databases of 3D bone models available for subsequent qualitative and quantitative studies. This work provides a step-by-step guide of the photo acquisition protocol and the photogrammetric workflow for creating high-resolution 3D digital models of human crania. Our method, based on Structure-from-Motion (SfM), uses single-camera photogrammetry to capture chromatic details and reconstruct shape with a scale error of less than 1 mm. Using relatively inexpensive and easily transportable equipment and a quick and simple protocol, realistic and accurate models can be be produced with minimal effort.
Archivio per l’Antropologia e la Etnologia - Vol. CLII, 2022
From the third century BC until late antiquity, the settlement of the ancient Finziade (Licata) w... more From the third century BC until late antiquity, the settlement of the ancient Finziade (Licata) was characterized by intense socio-cultural dynamics that significantly changed the social and economic assets of central-southern Sicily. The Zirafi hypogeum with its an architectural funerary unicum of the time was part of this multiform scenario. Its complex and the articulated depositional plan reflects a long phase of sepulchral use. Here we report on the anthropological analysis of human skeletal remains, found during the systematic excavation campaigns of the University of Messina in collaboration with the Anthropology Laboratory of the
University of Palermo. The study aims to combine the evaluations of the human findings with the previous historical and archaeological literature. We defined the use (intensity and typology) of the tombs, placed inside the hypogeum. Our results support previous assumptions about the status of the city during late antiquity.
Gli Archivi Digitali e l'Antropologia Virtuale. Ricostruzione 3D di un cranio umano mediante la moderna tecnica della Fotogrammetria.
Archivio per l’Antropologia e la Etnologia - Vol. CLII, 2022
Modern digital archives mainly thanks to recent developments in 3D modelling by TAC, Laser Scanne... more Modern digital archives mainly thanks to recent developments in 3D modelling by TAC, Laser Scanner and Photogrammetry are highy useful for easily storing and exchanging large amounts of data for both qualitative and quantitative studies. Photogrammetry is a versatile and inexpensive technique that starting from one or more sets of 2D digital images allows for high-resolution 3D models to be built. The protocol reported here allows users with different backgrounds
to easily and quickly built accurate models of human skulls using minimal and inexpensive equipment by simply modifying only some of the default settings of the Agisoft-Metashape software. The photo acquisition and the workflow of the software (fundamental steps of photogrammetry) are treated separately to provide a systematic method. The main advantages of this method are: the low number of images needed for a total coverage of the skull, the processing speed and the model accuracy by using only four markers positioned on the skull, as a reference to join the two sets of photos.
More data on ancient human mitogenome variability in Italy: new mitochondrial genome sequences from three Upper Palaeolithic burials
Annals of Human Biology, 2021
Abstract Background Recently, the study of mitochondrial variability in ancient humans has allowe... more Abstract Background Recently, the study of mitochondrial variability in ancient humans has allowed the definition of population dynamics that characterised Europe in the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene. Despite the abundance of sites and skeletal remains few data are available for Italy. Aim We reconstructed the mitochondrial genomes of three Upper Palaeolithic individuals for some of the most important Italian archaeological contexts: Paglicci (South-Eastern Italy), San Teodoro (South-Western Italy) and Arene Candide (North-Western Italy) caves. Subjects and methods We explored the phylogenetic relationships of the three mitogenomes in the context of Western Eurasian ancient and modern variability. Results Paglicci 12 belongs to sub-haplogroup U8c, described in only two other Gravettian individuals; San Teodoro 2 harbours a U2'3'4'7'8'9 sequence, the only lineage found in Sicily during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene; Arene Candide 16 displays an ancestral U5b1 haplotype already detected in other Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from Central Europe. Conclusion Regional genetic continuity is highlighted in the Gravettian groups that succeeded in Paglicci. Data from one of the oldest human remains from Sicily reinforce the hypothesis that Epigravettian groups carrying U2'3'4'7'8'9 could be the first inhabitants of the island. The first pre-Neolithic mitogenome from North-Western Italy, sequenced here, shows more affinity with continental Europe than with the Italian peninsula.
Archivio per l’Antropologia e la Etnologia- Vol. CLI, 2021
KEY WORDS: physical anthropology, archaeology, necropolis, Lilibeo, roman age.
SUMMARY ― The «Pai... more KEY WORDS: physical anthropology, archaeology, necropolis, Lilibeo, roman age.
SUMMARY ― The «Painted Hypogeum of Crispia Salvia» is the most important monument of the ancient Punic-Roman necropolis of Lilibeo (today's Marsala). It is the only known paradigmatic example in Sicily of pictorial wall decoration. Iulius Demetrius commissioned the monument in memory of his wife Crispia Salvia, a noblewoman descended from two very important Sicilian families. Here we report on a preliminary anthropological study of Tombs 3 and 4 (Crispia Salvia and Iulius
Demetrius). We integrated the historical-cultural context with the osteological data. The results combining laboratory and archaeological research confirm the presence of two high-ranking individuals characterized by conditions and lifestyle that were exclusive to Roman patrician families.
Problems of Differential Diagnosis in Paleopathology
MEDICINA NEI SECOLI Journal of History of Medicine and Medical Humanities, 2021
This work discusses on the problems of the differential diagnosis in paleopathology, describing o... more This work discusses on the problems of the differential diagnosis in paleopathology, describing one case of intense modification observed in a skeletal sample from the archaelogical site of Baucina (Sicily, VI century BCE). Difficulties in this setting originate mainly from the aspecificity or absence of pathological markers on ancient bones and confounding features arising from clinical phenocopies or taphonomic artifacts.
On the base of an in-depth morphological analysis of the find, with aid of CT scan imaging and wide revision of the medical and paleopathological literature, we arrived to a convincing diagnosis.
FOLIA PHOENICIA, 2018
In this paper we present the most recent anthropological study on bones of the archaic tombs of M... more In this paper we present the most recent anthropological study on bones of the archaic tombs of Motya (Sicily, Italy), where a large necropolis has been brought to light since the first excavations of Joseph Whitaker. The newly acquired data suggest that this portion of the Motya archaic cemetery was not exclusively devoted to the incineration of particular classes of age but the urns and cists could contain multiple burials of very different ages.
Human Remains and Funerary Rites in the Phoenician Necropolis of Motya (Sicily)
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2017
The aim of this paper is to examine the fresh evidence retrieved in the early cemetery or 'archai... more The aim of this paper is to examine the fresh evidence retrieved in the early cemetery or 'archaic necropolis' (eighth to sixth century BC) on the island of Motya, one of the main Phoenician colonies in the Mediterranean. Because of its integrity and the large number of finds, the cemetery has been considered one of the most relevant sites for the study of early burial customs in the West. The absence of anthropological data, completely neglected in the past, was a major shortcoming of previous research. This failing is now being rectified by a new project of fieldwork and excavation undertaken on the island by a team from Palermo University. This report provides a close examination of the human remains from a group of 32 graves discovered during three seasons (2013–2015) in a combined archaeological and taphonomic perspective and contributes to shed light on the funerary practices of the Phoenicians in Sicily.
Archivio per l’Antropologia e la Etnologia, 2013
The excavation in the “Grotta del Vecchiuzzo” was the first archaeological excavation done in the... more The excavation in the “Grotta del Vecchiuzzo” was the first archaeological excavation done in the mountain of Madonie (central-western Sicily, Italy).
Since the earliest explorations, made in 1936 by Collisani and Carapezza, the discovery of artifacts, in the main compartment, indicated that the cave has been attended in prehistory.
Excavations done, since 1937, indicated that the site had different use during the time as it probably used as inhabitation or as a sanctuary, the prehistoric attendance of the site was around the third millennium B.C.
The skeletal remains, at least fifteen individuals, were studied from the anthropological, anthropometric and paleopathological point of view, combining traditional and modern approaches.
Finally a comparative Multivariate Analysis with the dental data achieved and other eleven sites in Sicily was done. Skulls were classified as dolicomorfic.
Postcranial skeleton is normal or not robust, moreover the stature of women (the only calculable) is slightly above average.
The study registered dental, defiency and traumatic diseases, while enthesopathy, exostosis indicated a rural lifestyle.
Finally, the statistical analysis shows a morphological relationship between the studied site and other Paleo-Mesolithic sites of the island.
Chapters by Gabriele Lauria
Gli Inumati dell'Ipogeo di Crispia Salvia
Lilibeo e il Mare, 2024
La sepoltura infantile a enchytrismòs della Plateia Aelia
Lilibeo e il mare, 2024
Child Inhumations on the Island of Motya. New Evidence from the Archaic Necropolis.
Celestino Pérez, S.; Rodríguez González, E. (Eds.) 2020: Un viaje entre el Oriente y el Occidente del Mediterráneo. Actas del IX Congreso Internacional de Estudios Fenicios y Púnicos, Mytra 5, Mérida., 2020
One of the major Phoenician funerary sites in Sicily is the so-called 'archaic necropolis' of Mot... more One of the major Phoenician funerary sites in Sicily is the so-called 'archaic necropolis' of Motya, which lies on the northern shore of the islet and is washed by the shallow waters of the Marsala lagoon. In spite of a large number of burials (about 350) uncovered by archaeologists during the 20th century, mostly datable to archaic times (late 8th-7th century BC), no anthropological analysis was ever attempted to establish the main features of human remains.
This goal is now being achieved by a team of the University of Palermo, which during five excavation seasons (2013-2017) has so far brought to light several new burials. Most strikingly sub-adults (i.e. foetuses, perinatal and children) prevail, representing more than 50% of the findings. While a few of them are cremated, the numerous inhumations recovered (especially enkytrismoi), show clear patterns of life expectancy and health conditions on the island, highlighting a frequent early age of death as well as deficiency pathologies and their effects on human bones. Our work therefore denotes the fundamental importance of the anthropological approach to the study of ancient life style, as well as the valid support of biological data in the archaeological interpretation of funerary rituals.
Sepolture Medievali nel settore meridionale delle Terme Sud: Saggio II.
PIAZZA ARMERINA, VILLA DEL CASALE: SCAVI E STUDI NEL DECENNIO 2004-2014. Edited by Pensabene P. & Barresi P. <<L’Erma>> di Bretschneider Ed., 2019
Relazione antropologica preliminare inumato 1386.
Piazza Armerina: L’area nord dell’insediamento medievale presso la Villa del Casale. Indagini archeologiche 2013-2014. A cura di Carmela Bonanno., 2018
Questo volume è stato pubblicato nell’ambito del progetto: “Completamento degli scavi archeologic... more Questo volume è stato pubblicato nell’ambito del progetto: “Completamento degli scavi archeologici nell’area dell’abitato medievale ai fini dell’ampliamento della fruizione del complesso archeologico della Villa romana del Casale in territorio di Piazza Armerina (EN)”, finanziato da ALES S.p.A. e realizzato dalla Provincia Regionale di Enna in collaborazione con la Soprintendenza per i Beni culturali e ambientali di Enna e il Museo archeologico della Villa romana del Casale di Piazza Armerina.
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colonization. In this scenario, Mokarta is an example of territorial autonomy and ethnic isolation (Sicanian) within an area of Elimi colonization. Its demise in the 11th century B.C.E, presumably at the hands of the Elimi, was rapid and violent as the settlement was suddenly abandoned following its destruction by fire. Symbolic of this event is an individual found at the entrance of a burned and collapsed hut who appears to have died from a cranial injury. This paper focuses on the osteological analysis of this skeleton, highlighting the perimortem injury, related to his death, and places the results within a forensic archeological context. The morphological pattern of the lesion is the result of a high-energy impact by a circular blunt object. The fracture, involving both the meningeal vessels and the brain, could have led to a fatal neurological trauma. The analysis of the cranial fracture and an anatomical evaluation
of the affected area led us to conclude that the perimortem injury, inflicted on the right parietal, probably was the cause of death. The case proposed highlights how an integrated approach based on bioarcheology and forensic anthropology helps in interpreting an archeological scenario and formulating hypotheses about the circumstances of an individual's death.
of animal bodies and therefore the most common osteological remains in collections. The abundance of teeth in collections means that they are subject to extensive research that today constitutes a well-defined discipline called Odontology. Fortunately, through appropriate anatomical and comparative studies teeth can be informative about phylogenetic history and evolutionary mechanisms of species. Variations in teeth, including dimensional variations, are commonly used in physical anthropology as a powerful diagnostic tool.
This paper aims to provide a free database of adult human tooth measurements. The database consists of a series of maxilla and mandible mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters (711 measures) taken on the premolars and molars from 19 Sicilian sites that belong to the Mesolithic up to modern times. It is not our intention, at this time, to provide an extensive ontological study. Instead, we illustrate with a simple example of how the database can be used. The example shows the database is reliable and reproducible.
The presence of the Neonatal Line in all specimens indicates that the seven individuals survived birth. The occurrence of at least one Accentuated Line in prenatal enamel in four out of seven individuals suggests the foetuses and/or their mothers experienced a stress-related event during pregnancy. As expected, there was limited variation in Daily Secretion Rates near the Enamel Dentine Junction. These rates increase toward the outer enamel surface and decrease toward the cervix.
Our findings illustrate the importance of dental histology for reconstructing perinatal and early infancy mortality and morbidity patterns at Motya, which sheds light on the socio-cultural perception of new-borns and infants in an ancient Phoenician community.
University of Palermo. The study aims to combine the evaluations of the human findings with the previous historical and archaeological literature. We defined the use (intensity and typology) of the tombs, placed inside the hypogeum. Our results support previous assumptions about the status of the city during late antiquity.
to easily and quickly built accurate models of human skulls using minimal and inexpensive equipment by simply modifying only some of the default settings of the Agisoft-Metashape software. The photo acquisition and the workflow of the software (fundamental steps of photogrammetry) are treated separately to provide a systematic method. The main advantages of this method are: the low number of images needed for a total coverage of the skull, the processing speed and the model accuracy by using only four markers positioned on the skull, as a reference to join the two sets of photos.
SUMMARY ― The «Painted Hypogeum of Crispia Salvia» is the most important monument of the ancient Punic-Roman necropolis of Lilibeo (today's Marsala). It is the only known paradigmatic example in Sicily of pictorial wall decoration. Iulius Demetrius commissioned the monument in memory of his wife Crispia Salvia, a noblewoman descended from two very important Sicilian families. Here we report on a preliminary anthropological study of Tombs 3 and 4 (Crispia Salvia and Iulius
Demetrius). We integrated the historical-cultural context with the osteological data. The results combining laboratory and archaeological research confirm the presence of two high-ranking individuals characterized by conditions and lifestyle that were exclusive to Roman patrician families.
On the base of an in-depth morphological analysis of the find, with aid of CT scan imaging and wide revision of the medical and paleopathological literature, we arrived to a convincing diagnosis.
Since the earliest explorations, made in 1936 by Collisani and Carapezza, the discovery of artifacts, in the main compartment, indicated that the cave has been attended in prehistory.
Excavations done, since 1937, indicated that the site had different use during the time as it probably used as inhabitation or as a sanctuary, the prehistoric attendance of the site was around the third millennium B.C.
The skeletal remains, at least fifteen individuals, were studied from the anthropological, anthropometric and paleopathological point of view, combining traditional and modern approaches.
Finally a comparative Multivariate Analysis with the dental data achieved and other eleven sites in Sicily was done. Skulls were classified as dolicomorfic.
Postcranial skeleton is normal or not robust, moreover the stature of women (the only calculable) is slightly above average.
The study registered dental, defiency and traumatic diseases, while enthesopathy, exostosis indicated a rural lifestyle.
Finally, the statistical analysis shows a morphological relationship between the studied site and other Paleo-Mesolithic sites of the island.
Chapters by Gabriele Lauria
This goal is now being achieved by a team of the University of Palermo, which during five excavation seasons (2013-2017) has so far brought to light several new burials. Most strikingly sub-adults (i.e. foetuses, perinatal and children) prevail, representing more than 50% of the findings. While a few of them are cremated, the numerous inhumations recovered (especially enkytrismoi), show clear patterns of life expectancy and health conditions on the island, highlighting a frequent early age of death as well as deficiency pathologies and their effects on human bones. Our work therefore denotes the fundamental importance of the anthropological approach to the study of ancient life style, as well as the valid support of biological data in the archaeological interpretation of funerary rituals.