Postmortem analysis of WWI human remains from Italian glaciers in rare environmental conditions

Bibliographic Data

ID5398019
AuthorsD Gaudio (0000-0002-2009-1574, University of Milan), Luca Lanteri (0000-0001-9466-3515), L De Luca, Cirielli, Vito Cirielli (0000-0003-4689-2318), M Caccianiga, Bruno E L Cerabolini (0000-0001-9715-1830, University of Milan), Cristina Bassi (Provincia Autonoma di Trento), N Cappellozza, Andrea Galassi (0000-0001-9711-7042), Franco Nicolis (Provincia Autonoma di Trento), C Cattaneo (0000-0003-0086-029X, University of Milan)
Year2019
Volume11
Issue6
Pages2569-2580
Publication date2019-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1866-9557 • E-ISSN: 1866-9565
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12520-018-0691-x
OpenAlexW2892356315
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited30

The authors report the results obtained by a multidisciplinary investigation of nine cases of human remains belonging to unknown Austrian WWI soldiers found in a glacial environment in the North-Eastern Alps. The aim of this research is to investigate the biological profile, pathology and cause of death, and taphonomic details of the soldiers' bodies preserved in the glacial environment of the Alps. The human remains were recovered by forensic archeological methods. The approach to the postmortem analysis was specifically chosen on a case by case basis according to the conditions of the different corpses, which varied from advanced decomposition to skeletonization. A multidisciplinary approach was applied to the human remains, including anthropological and taphonomical analysis and, in one case, botanic investigations on the intestinal contents. Soft tissues, where present, were mainly saponified, presenting pseudo-mummified areas and only in one case were partially mummified. Trauma analysis revealed several perimortem injuries. In addition peculiar weathering such as cracking, deformations, wear and abrasions were found on the bones of these individuals. This study, by means of a multidisciplinary approach, allowed the recovery and interpretation of much information on the life and death of these men who fought in incredible and merciless conditions, and increases and implements the data provided by documents during the "White War" phase of WWI

Archaeology · Geography · Glacial period · Multidisciplinary approach · Paleopathology · Taphonomy · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies · History · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Geology · Paleontology