Preliminary results about the archeological and paleopathological study of roman necropolis of Monte Carru - Alghero (Sardinia)

Abstract

Following the discovery of burials in Monte Carru – Alghero (Sardinia) during the preliminary investigation to the creation of a housing development detected a Imperial Roman necropolis (I-III century A.D.). A total of 350 tombs – 150 burials and 200 cremations. This necropolis is supposed belongs to the undiscovered village of Carbia mantioned by the sources. Up to now have been analyzed 11 burials. The samples are clened by water and glued with PVA glue. Subsequently has been performed the anthropological study following the mains anthropological methods ( Meindel & Lovejoy, 1985; Iscan 1985; Ubelaker 1989; Trotter & Gleser 1952) and some new method (Vance – Steyn- L’Abbé 2011; Chibba e Bidmos, 2007; Bidmos, 2006). Every burial has been sampled for metagenomic and DNA study. Up to now have been analyzed 10 adults and 1 subadult. The adults are in 60% female and just 1 is undeterminate; the age of death is between 25 and 45 years; it was no possible to determinate the height . There were no obvius pathology but this can be for the extreme deterioration of bones. There are dental wear widespread mainly on premolars and first molar ; caries is present mainly on molars and dental calculus mainly on incisors. The analyzed population of Monte Carru in Roman Age shows a good state of health, no obvious pathologies and a enamel wear. More analysies are neccesary to better understand the site.