The History and Composition of the Identified Human Skeletal Collection of the Certosa Cemetery (Bologna, Italy, 19th-20th Century)

Bibliographic Data

ID4718686
AuthorsM G Belcastro (0000-0002-8932-8509, Laboratory of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Osteology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna Bologna Italy, corresponding author), Benedetta Bonfiglioli (University of Bologna), Maria Elena Pedrosi (University of Bologna), Micol Zuppello (University of Dundee), Viola Tanganelli (0009-0007-5408-5846, University of Bologna), Tanganelli, Mariotti (0000-0002-6956-781X, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), V Mariotti (Laboratory of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Osteology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna Bologna Italy)
Year2017
Volume27
Issue5
Pages912-925
Publication date2017-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.2605
OpenAlexW2729468224
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited42

The purpose of this paper is to present the identified skeletal collection (by age, sex, cause of death, occupation and preservation state) from the Certosa Cemetery of Bologna (Italy), which was reviewed and checked through a consultation of the cemetery archives. The collection consists of 425 skeletons of individuals (from newborn to 91 years old) who died in Bologna between 1898 and 1944. The personal details associated with the skeletons were cross-checked with the data contained in the cemetery and municipal archives. For each skeleton, the biological profile was assessed using current anthropological methods in order to confirm its correct identification. Four hundred and eighteen skeletons (98.4%), mostly complete and well preserved, are identified at least for sex, and for 95% of these, the age is known. The distribution of sexes in the various age groups is fairly well balanced. The cause of death is known in 93% of the individuals. Approximately 30% of the individuals died from infectious diseases. The occupation is known for more than 92% of the individuals. Most of the women were housewives, while the men were employed in various jobs. The cross-check between archival data with the anthropological analysis of the remains enabled a reliable identification of the skeletons. The sexes and various age groups are well represented, and the sample is substantially uniform as far as geographical origin and socio-economic conditions (lower social classes) are concerned. Thanks to the reliability of the information collected, the Certosa collection is an excellent anthropological tool for the development and validation of osteobiographic methods. Copyright (c) 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Archaeology · Genealogy · Geography · Sociology · Demography · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Paleopathology and ancient diseases