Francisca Alves‐cardoso
Biographic Data
| ID | 925281 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Francisca Alves‐cardoso |
| GIVEN NAMES | Francisca |
| FAMILY NAME | Alves‐cardoso |
| SIGNATURE | CARDOSO F A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Centre for Research in Anthropology |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8386-2009 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 24 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 234 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 24 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2001 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 9 |
From Fragmented Records to Digital Insights
The archaeological record is inherently fragile, and excavation is, by nature, destructive. While the recording of excavation processes has improved significantly, many archaeological sites excavated over the past decades remain under-reported or unpublished. These sites often have incomplete excavation records, hand-drawn sketches, non-annotated photographs, and fragmented fieldnotes associated with them, posing a significant challenge for conte…
A Smile From the Past
This paper presents the first documented case of a fixed bone dental bridge in Portugal. This item was recovered alongside the remains of a young adult individual of indeterminate sex from the 19th century burial site of the 3rd Order of Our Lady of Carmo in Porto, Portugal. Despite the remains being mostly complete and well preserved, the maxilla is edentulous and the mandible is missing, with only two loose mandibular teeth recovered. The crani…
To Replicate, or Not to Replicate? The Creation, Use, and Dissemination of 3D Models of Human Remains
Advancements in digital technology have conquered a place in cultural heritage. The widespread use of three-dimensional scanners in bioanthropology have increased the production of 3D digital replicas of human bones that are freely distributed online. However, ethical considerations about such 3D models have not reached Portuguese society, making it impossible to assess their societal impact and people’s perception of how these models are created…
Exploring “wear and tear” of joints and “muscle function” assumptions in skeletons with known occupation at death
OBJECTIVES: Changes in the joints are believed to result from "wear and tear," a consequence of activity, as entheseal changes (EC) result from muscle use. However, clinical data showed that activity does not necessarily increase the likelihood of degenerative joint changes (DJC) and that exercise results in healthier joints. We tested whether individuals with continuous repetitive biomechanical efforts (Group 1) were more likely to exhibit EC an…
Is it a cystic or a cyst-like condition? Discussing the etiology of an unusual large mandibular lesion in a Roman skeleton from Quinta da Torrinha/Quinta de Santo António (Almada, Portugal)
Is differential diagnosis attainable in disarticulated pathological bone remains? A case-study from a late 19th/early 20th century necropolis from Juncal (Porto de Mós, Portugal)
All different, all equal
In search of consensus
Across disciplinary boundaries
This dossier pays homage to the primatologist Cláudia Sousa and is the result of a seminar held in her memory. It collates the presentations of Cláudia’s colleagues on themes that demonstrate not only the importance of her work but also the legacy that she left. It highlights the potential for novel ways to bring together social and human sciences and biological sciences in the field of anthropology
Exploring poverty
Differences found were not necessarily representative of low vs high socio-economic status. Furthermore, there are limitations associated with the use of occupation-at-death, based on documentary evidence, which does not necessarily reflect wealth-status
Remains of the Dead
Osteological lesions can be important to positively identify human remains in forensic contexts, as well as contribute to past population studies. However, their analysis requires training and appropriate research conditions, which may be lacking in certain geographic areas as, for example, the northern region of Brazil. Emphasising existing resources, such as anatomical collections, may help to address this issue. This study explores the anatomi…
Exploring the relationship between entheseal changes and physical activity
Analyses of entheseal changes (EC) in identified skeletal samples employ a common research strategy based on the comparison between occupations grouped on the basis of shared biomechanical and/or social characteristics. Results from this approach are often ambiguous, with some studies that point to differences in EC between occupational samples and others failing to provide evidence of behavioral effects on EC. Here we investigate patterns of EC …
The Bom Santo Cave (Lisbon, Portugal)
The study of the Bom Santo Cave (central Portugal), a Neolithic cemetery, indicates a complex social, palaeoeconomic, and population scenario. With isotope, aDNA, and provenance analyses of raw materials coupled with stylistic variability of material culture items and palaeogeographical data, light is shed on the territory and social organization of a population dated to 3800–3400 cal BC, i.e. the Middle Neolithic. Results indicate an itinerant f…
A possible case of acquired syphilis at the former Royal Hospital of All-Saints (RHAS) in Lisbon, Portugal (18th century)
Between the years of 1999 and 2001, during the excavation of the Praça da Figueira (Lisbon, Portugal), several human osteological remains from various chronological periods were discovered. Amongst them several skeletons are known to be related with the Hospital Real de Todos-os-Santos (Royal Hospital of All Saints - RHAS), which had an important role. The hospital history begun in 1492 and ended in 1755 largely as a consequence of the Lisbon ear…
Paleogenetic Studies in Guajajara Skeletal Remains, Maranhão State, Brazil
In the early 17th century, French and Portuguese colonizers and Jesuit priests settled in the state of Maranhão and made contact with the Guajajara, an ethnic group that lived along the margins of the Pindaré River. The Guajajara maintained contact with Brazilian national society over the centuries, including with Brazilian admixed populations, and with African slaves that flocked towards the region from the 18th century onwards. The present stud…
Sample-specific sex estimation in archaeological contexts with commingled human remains
The Categorisation of Occupation in Identified Skeletal Collections
Identified skeletal collections, that is, skeletons for which sex, age at death and occupation at death are known, have been used to test methods for recording entheseal changes (EC). By testing methods on identified collections, the sensitivity of EC for recording activity levels can be ascertained prior to applying the methods to test hypotheses in archaeological contexts. However, the definition of occupational categories used for this researc…
Categorization of Occupation in Documented Skeletal Collections
Studies on identified skeletal collections yield discordant results about the association between osseous changes and activity. These dissonances can be ascribed to several factors: the variability of the osseous changes selected for observation, the inconsistency of their interpretative criteria and the inhomogeneous classification of occupation, here used as synonym of profession, within each study. The need to standardize the concept of occupa…
Special Issue Entheseal Changes and Occupation
Bioarchaeology's Holy Grail
International audience
The Coimbra Workshop in Musculoskeletal Stress Markers (MSM)
The Workshop in Musculoskeletal Stress Markers (MSM): limitations and achievements in the reconstruction of past activity patterns, was held at the \nUniversity of Coimbra, in Portugal (2nd – 3rd July 2009). The chief goal of the \norganizing committee was to provide a productive environment where researchers could discuss the methodologies and terminology employed for the study of MSM \nas well as assessing how well these enthesopathies serve as…
Enthesopathy formation in the humerus
Enthesopathies, in the guise of musculoskeletal skeletal stress markers (MSM), have been widely used to reconstruct activity levels in human skeletal populations. In general, studies have focused on their presence in the upper limb, which is used in the majority of daily activities. The aim of this study was to use some of the attachment sites on the humerus to explore the relationship between enthesopathy formation, activity, and the ageing proc…
New anthropological data on the Mesolithic communities from Portugal
The osteological series from Cabeço Da Amoreira (Muge, Portuga)
In the present paper we present the first anthropological results for one of the most classic European Mesolithic sites, the Cabeço da Amoreira, hereafter Amoreira, on the Muge tributary of the Tagus River in central Portugal. Apart from this one, there are three more shell middens on the Tagus river: Moita do Sebastião, Cabeço da Arruda and the lesser known, Cova da Onça. While human remains from Moita and Arruda are well known, the osteological…
Enthesopathy formation in the humerus
Enthesopathies, in the guise of musculoskeletal skeletal stress markers (MSM), have been widely used to reconstruct activity levels in human skeletal populations. In general, studies have focused on their presence in the upper limb, which is used in the majority of daily activities. The aim of this study was to use some of the attachment sites on the humerus to explore the relationship between enthesopathy formation, activity, and the ageing proc…
The Categorisation of Occupation in Identified Skeletal Collections
Identified skeletal collections, that is, skeletons for which sex, age at death and occupation at death are known, have been used to test methods for recording entheseal changes (EC). By testing methods on identified collections, the sensitivity of EC for recording activity levels can be ascertained prior to applying the methods to test hypotheses in archaeological contexts. However, the definition of occupational categories used for this researc…
Exploring the relationship between entheseal changes and physical activity
Analyses of entheseal changes (EC) in identified skeletal samples employ a common research strategy based on the comparison between occupations grouped on the basis of shared biomechanical and/or social characteristics. Results from this approach are often ambiguous, with some studies that point to differences in EC between occupational samples and others failing to provide evidence of behavioral effects on EC. Here we investigate patterns of EC …
The Bom Santo Cave (Lisbon, Portugal)
The study of the Bom Santo Cave (central Portugal), a Neolithic cemetery, indicates a complex social, palaeoeconomic, and population scenario. With isotope, aDNA, and provenance analyses of raw materials coupled with stylistic variability of material culture items and palaeogeographical data, light is shed on the territory and social organization of a population dated to 3800–3400 cal BC, i.e. the Middle Neolithic. Results indicate an itinerant f…
The Coimbra Workshop in Musculoskeletal Stress Markers (MSM)
The Workshop in Musculoskeletal Stress Markers (MSM): limitations and achievements in the reconstruction of past activity patterns, was held at the \nUniversity of Coimbra, in Portugal (2nd – 3rd July 2009). The chief goal of the \norganizing committee was to provide a productive environment where researchers could discuss the methodologies and terminology employed for the study of MSM \nas well as assessing how well these enthesopathies serve as…
Categorization of Occupation in Documented Skeletal Collections
Studies on identified skeletal collections yield discordant results about the association between osseous changes and activity. These dissonances can be ascribed to several factors: the variability of the osseous changes selected for observation, the inconsistency of their interpretative criteria and the inhomogeneous classification of occupation, here used as synonym of profession, within each study. The need to standardize the concept of occupa…
Special Issue Entheseal Changes and Occupation
Sample-specific sex estimation in archaeological contexts with commingled human remains
To Replicate, or Not to Replicate? The Creation, Use, and Dissemination of 3D Models of Human Remains
Advancements in digital technology have conquered a place in cultural heritage. The widespread use of three-dimensional scanners in bioanthropology have increased the production of 3D digital replicas of human bones that are freely distributed online. However, ethical considerations about such 3D models have not reached Portuguese society, making it impossible to assess their societal impact and people’s perception of how these models are created…
The osteological series from Cabeço Da Amoreira (Muge, Portuga)
In the present paper we present the first anthropological results for one of the most classic European Mesolithic sites, the Cabeço da Amoreira, hereafter Amoreira, on the Muge tributary of the Tagus River in central Portugal. Apart from this one, there are three more shell middens on the Tagus river: Moita do Sebastião, Cabeço da Arruda and the lesser known, Cova da Onça. While human remains from Moita and Arruda are well known, the osteological…
New anthropological data on the Mesolithic communities from Portugal
Exploring “wear and tear” of joints and “muscle function” assumptions in skeletons with known occupation at death
OBJECTIVES: Changes in the joints are believed to result from "wear and tear," a consequence of activity, as entheseal changes (EC) result from muscle use. However, clinical data showed that activity does not necessarily increase the likelihood of degenerative joint changes (DJC) and that exercise results in healthier joints. We tested whether individuals with continuous repetitive biomechanical efforts (Group 1) were more likely to exhibit EC an…
A possible case of acquired syphilis at the former Royal Hospital of All-Saints (RHAS) in Lisbon, Portugal (18th century)
Between the years of 1999 and 2001, during the excavation of the Praça da Figueira (Lisbon, Portugal), several human osteological remains from various chronological periods were discovered. Amongst them several skeletons are known to be related with the Hospital Real de Todos-os-Santos (Royal Hospital of All Saints - RHAS), which had an important role. The hospital history begun in 1492 and ended in 1755 largely as a consequence of the Lisbon ear…
The osteological series from Cabeço Da Amoreira (Muge, Portuga)
In the present paper we present the first anthropological results for one of the most classic European Mesolithic sites, the Cabeço da Amoreira, hereafter Amoreira, on the Muge tributary of the Tagus River in central Portugal. Apart from this one, there are three more shell middens on the Tagus river: Moita do Sebastião, Cabeço da Arruda and the lesser known, Cova da Onça. While human remains from Moita and Arruda are well known, the osteological…
New anthropological data on the Mesolithic communities from Portugal
Enthesopathy formation in the humerus
Enthesopathies, in the guise of musculoskeletal skeletal stress markers (MSM), have been widely used to reconstruct activity levels in human skeletal populations. In general, studies have focused on their presence in the upper limb, which is used in the majority of daily activities. The aim of this study was to use some of the attachment sites on the humerus to explore the relationship between enthesopathy formation, activity, and the ageing proc…
Bioarchaeology's Holy Grail
International audience
The Coimbra Workshop in Musculoskeletal Stress Markers (MSM)
The Workshop in Musculoskeletal Stress Markers (MSM): limitations and achievements in the reconstruction of past activity patterns, was held at the \nUniversity of Coimbra, in Portugal (2nd – 3rd July 2009). The chief goal of the \norganizing committee was to provide a productive environment where researchers could discuss the methodologies and terminology employed for the study of MSM \nas well as assessing how well these enthesopathies serve as…
The Categorisation of Occupation in Identified Skeletal Collections
Identified skeletal collections, that is, skeletons for which sex, age at death and occupation at death are known, have been used to test methods for recording entheseal changes (EC). By testing methods on identified collections, the sensitivity of EC for recording activity levels can be ascertained prior to applying the methods to test hypotheses in archaeological contexts. However, the definition of occupational categories used for this researc…
Categorization of Occupation in Documented Skeletal Collections
Studies on identified skeletal collections yield discordant results about the association between osseous changes and activity. These dissonances can be ascribed to several factors: the variability of the osseous changes selected for observation, the inconsistency of their interpretative criteria and the inhomogeneous classification of occupation, here used as synonym of profession, within each study. The need to standardize the concept of occupa…
Special Issue Entheseal Changes and Occupation
Paleogenetic Studies in Guajajara Skeletal Remains, Maranhão State, Brazil
In the early 17th century, French and Portuguese colonizers and Jesuit priests settled in the state of Maranhão and made contact with the Guajajara, an ethnic group that lived along the margins of the Pindaré River. The Guajajara maintained contact with Brazilian national society over the centuries, including with Brazilian admixed populations, and with African slaves that flocked towards the region from the 18th century onwards. The present stud…
Sample-specific sex estimation in archaeological contexts with commingled human remains
Exploring poverty
Differences found were not necessarily representative of low vs high socio-economic status. Furthermore, there are limitations associated with the use of occupation-at-death, based on documentary evidence, which does not necessarily reflect wealth-status
Remains of the Dead
Osteological lesions can be important to positively identify human remains in forensic contexts, as well as contribute to past population studies. However, their analysis requires training and appropriate research conditions, which may be lacking in certain geographic areas as, for example, the northern region of Brazil. Emphasising existing resources, such as anatomical collections, may help to address this issue. This study explores the anatomi…
Exploring the relationship between entheseal changes and physical activity
Analyses of entheseal changes (EC) in identified skeletal samples employ a common research strategy based on the comparison between occupations grouped on the basis of shared biomechanical and/or social characteristics. Results from this approach are often ambiguous, with some studies that point to differences in EC between occupational samples and others failing to provide evidence of behavioral effects on EC. Here we investigate patterns of EC …
The Bom Santo Cave (Lisbon, Portugal)
The study of the Bom Santo Cave (central Portugal), a Neolithic cemetery, indicates a complex social, palaeoeconomic, and population scenario. With isotope, aDNA, and provenance analyses of raw materials coupled with stylistic variability of material culture items and palaeogeographical data, light is shed on the territory and social organization of a population dated to 3800–3400 cal BC, i.e. the Middle Neolithic. Results indicate an itinerant f…
A possible case of acquired syphilis at the former Royal Hospital of All-Saints (RHAS) in Lisbon, Portugal (18th century)
Between the years of 1999 and 2001, during the excavation of the Praça da Figueira (Lisbon, Portugal), several human osteological remains from various chronological periods were discovered. Amongst them several skeletons are known to be related with the Hospital Real de Todos-os-Santos (Royal Hospital of All Saints - RHAS), which had an important role. The hospital history begun in 1492 and ended in 1755 largely as a consequence of the Lisbon ear…
All different, all equal
In search of consensus
Across disciplinary boundaries
This dossier pays homage to the primatologist Cláudia Sousa and is the result of a seminar held in her memory. It collates the presentations of Cláudia’s colleagues on themes that demonstrate not only the importance of her work but also the legacy that she left. It highlights the potential for novel ways to bring together social and human sciences and biological sciences in the field of anthropology
Is it a cystic or a cyst-like condition? Discussing the etiology of an unusual large mandibular lesion in a Roman skeleton from Quinta da Torrinha/Quinta de Santo António (Almada, Portugal)
Is differential diagnosis attainable in disarticulated pathological bone remains? A case-study from a late 19th/early 20th century necropolis from Juncal (Porto de Mós, Portugal)
Exploring “wear and tear” of joints and “muscle function” assumptions in skeletons with known occupation at death
OBJECTIVES: Changes in the joints are believed to result from "wear and tear," a consequence of activity, as entheseal changes (EC) result from muscle use. However, clinical data showed that activity does not necessarily increase the likelihood of degenerative joint changes (DJC) and that exercise results in healthier joints. We tested whether individuals with continuous repetitive biomechanical efforts (Group 1) were more likely to exhibit EC an…
To Replicate, or Not to Replicate? The Creation, Use, and Dissemination of 3D Models of Human Remains
Advancements in digital technology have conquered a place in cultural heritage. The widespread use of three-dimensional scanners in bioanthropology have increased the production of 3D digital replicas of human bones that are freely distributed online. However, ethical considerations about such 3D models have not reached Portuguese society, making it impossible to assess their societal impact and people’s perception of how these models are created…
From Fragmented Records to Digital Insights
The archaeological record is inherently fragile, and excavation is, by nature, destructive. While the recording of excavation processes has improved significantly, many archaeological sites excavated over the past decades remain under-reported or unpublished. These sites often have incomplete excavation records, hand-drawn sketches, non-annotated photographs, and fragmented fieldnotes associated with them, posing a significant challenge for conte…
A Smile From the Past
This paper presents the first documented case of a fixed bone dental bridge in Portugal. This item was recovered alongside the remains of a young adult individual of indeterminate sex from the 19th century burial site of the 3rd Order of Our Lady of Carmo in Porto, Portugal. Despite the remains being mostly complete and well preserved, the maxilla is edentulous and the mandible is missing, with only two loose mandibular teeth recovered. The crani…
Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies (16 works) · Paleopathology and ancient diseases (10 works) · Medicine (9 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Archaeology (8 works) · Demography (8 works) · Geography (8 works) · Portuguese (7 works) · History (6 works) · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology (6 works)