Marta Licata
Dados Biográficos
| ID | 126509 |
|---|---|
| NOME | Marta Licata |
| PRENOMES | Marta |
| SOBRENOME | Licata |
| ASSINATURA | LICATA M |
| AFILIAÇÕES | University of Insubria |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-3343-3999 |
| VERIFICADO | Sim |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 28 |
| TOTAL DE CITAÇÕES | 16 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 28 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMEIRO ANO DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2016 |
| ANO MAIS RECENTE DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 2 |
Pulmonary pathologies
INTRODUCTIONThe Church of San Colombano in Bobbio, Italy, represents one of the most important centers of early medieval monasticism in Europe and offers a valuable context for bioarchaeological research. Among the most significant discoveries is Tomb 1, a deep, multi-use burial chamber containing commingled remains of numerous individuals. The assemblage provides an opportunity to investigate health conditions and lived experiences within a medi…
Between Memory and Oblivion
The Body as Data
The digitization of human remains is transforming the ways in which biological anthropology, museums, and heritage institutions engage with the dead. While digital technologies promise greater accessibility, reproducibility, and preservation, they also introduce complex ethical, legal, and cultural questions. This paper reviews current literature on the implications of converting human remains into digital data, focusing on key themes such as own…
Humanizing the past
Facial approximation in archaeological contexts represents a complex intersection of science, art, and ethics. While these reconstructions offer a unique opportunity to engage the public with the past, they also raise critical concerns regarding accuracy, representation, and the dignity of the deceased. This literature review examines the ethical discourse surrounding facial approximations in museums, emphasizing the need for transparency in thei…
Anatomical alterations
Cranial anatomical variations, such as biparietal thinning, offer critical insights into the health and living conditions of ancient populations. Despite the presence of extensive archaeological records, biparietal thinning remains a relatively rare and understudied condition. This review aims to synthesize existing bioarchaeological literature on biparietal thinning, addressing its historical prevalence, geographical distribution, and potential …
A Possible Case of β‐Thalassemia From the Cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli (Piedmont, Northern Italy,18th Century)
In Italy's Piedmont region, the city of Vercelli has a history of malaria transmission due to favorable conditions for Anopheles mosquitoes, which may have influenced the genetic prevalence of thalassemia. This study investigates the skeletal remains of a nonadult individual from the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, dating to the 18th century, and suggests possible pathological changes indicative of β‐thalassemia. The skeletal analysis…
Calcified uterine leiomyoma from an 18th-century nunnery in North Italy
OBJECTIVE: To develop a differential diagnosis of a mass retrieved alongside skeletal remains in the crypt of the church of Santissima Annunziata of Valenza (Province of Alessandria, Northern Italy). MATERIAL: A calcified mass measuring 40 × 39 mm and 17.62 × 16.3817.62 × 16.38 mm. METHOD: The analysis utilized macroscopic assessment and histologic examination (including histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses). RESULTS: Morphological trai…
Development of a Scanning Protocol for Anthropological Remains
Structured-light scanning is a fast and efficient technique for the acquisition of 3D point clouds. However, the extensive and daily application of this class of scanners can be challenging because of the technical know-how necessary to validate the low-cost instrumentation. This challenge is worth accepting because of the large amount of data that can be collected accurately with the aid of specific technical protocols. This work is a preliminar…
Health and Heritage
Imagining life before the advent of modern medical treatments is challenging. Today, congenital dysplasia is typically diagnosed within the first months of a child’s life, allowing for timely intervention. In the past, however, this condition often went unrecognized and untreated, as evidenced by archaeological findings that document the presence of congenital dysplasia persisting into adulthood. We present the case of the individual recovered fr…
Autopsy or anatomical dissection? Comparative analysis of an osteoarchaeological sample from an 18-19th century hypogeal cemetery (northern Italy)
Skeletal evidence of post-mortem procedures is not uncommon in paleopathological studies. This aspect is often overshadowed by the description of the pathology found due to the difficulty in differentiating the stigmata left on the bones from technically similar practices such as autopsy and dissection. The discovery of five crania of adult individuals exhibiting post-mortem lesions during the bioarchaeological recovery phases of the hypogeal cem…
Elongated styloid process of an autopsied skull from the Cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, 18th-19th century (Piedmont, northern Italy)
century). The skull presents an oblique cleft, which from the top of the frontal bone bends towards the occipital, and the left styloid process is elongated compared to normal values (48 mm). The elongated styloid process is due to the ossification of the styloid ligament which has several possible causes. To increase the knowledge about this pathological condition in the past, it was necessary to compare all the data present in the literature to…
A possible case of orbital osteomyelitis from the medieval cemetery of Sant’ Agostino in Caravate (Varese, Northern Italy)
A possible case of "kissing" osteochondroma and multiple enchondromas in a medieval skeleton from the church of Sant' Agostino in Caravate (Northern Italy)
This work presents the neoplastic bone changes found in the lower limb of a medieval skeleton from the church of Sant' Agostino in Caravate (Northern Italy). After briefly assessing the individual's overall pathological picture, a differential diagnosis for the neoplastic changes is now proposed. These changes were analysed macroscopically and radiographically and subsequently evaluated considering the paleopathological and clinical literature av…
Defects-related early childhood caries as hints of possible maternal-fetal health issues
Developmental defects of enamel (DDE) are important markers of stress as they arise from the disruption of ameloblastic activity during enamel matrix secretion and mineralization. Defects on the crowns of the deciduous dentition provide insights into maternal-fetal health because they can emerge during intrauterine development as a result of gestational issues. The presence of previous defective enamel represents one of the most predisposing caus…
Probable micronutrient deficiency diseases in a rural community. The nonadults of Mary’s Nativity church, 16th century, Trentino Alto-Adige, Italy
Wounded to death. Holistic, multimodal reconstruction of the dynamics in a case of multiple perimortem cranial injuries from a medieval site in northern Italy
Accessory sacroiliac joints and the iliosacral complex
The detection of parturition markers on archaeological pelvic bones is relevant for the reconstruction of the biological profiles of female individuals, in whose life history pregnancy represents a crucial biological event. During a preliminary study on a sample of 18 individuals from the medieval and post-medieval cemetery of San Biagio in Cittiglio (northern Italy), two skeletons exhibited evidence of noteworthy bony projections at the sacroili…
Tourism in the Time of Coronavirus. Fruition of the “Minor Heritage” through the Development of Bioarchaeological Sites—A Proposal
The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are and will continue to be devastating for the tourism sector, especially for the cultural one. It is necessary to reflect on the new strategies to be adopted to deal with the heavy losses that the world of cultural heritage is suffering. The great archaeological attractions will no longer be able to accommodate the prepandemic numbers and therefore we must also think of alternative routes to present …
Feline mummies as a fertilizer. Criticisms on the destruction of archaeozoological remains during the 19th century
A paper, wrote in 1890 by the Egyptologist Gaston Maspero, reveals a pioneer attempt to preserve the animal mummies from ancient Egypt with the purpose of expanding our knowledge on the former and present-day faunas of the Nile Valley. That request to enhance our historical understanding of the past from the standpoint of the animals was innovative at a time when the prevailing historical currents focused on human mummies and so-called “valuable”…
A probable case of subligamentous tuberculous spondylitis
This paper presents a probable case of subligamentous tuberculous spondylitis (STBS), a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, diagnosed in the skeleton of a middle‐aged male discovered in the ossuary of the Franciscan crypt of the St. Anthony and St. Eusebius church, which lies in north‐western Italy. The skeleton can be dated back between the 17th and 19th centuries. This rare type of tuberculosis was identified in the thoracic and lumbar sp…
The space of man’s death. A modern age secondary burial case in northern Italy
Much of the recent archaeological and anthropological research on Italian modern age secondary burials has focused primarily on source analysis and the funerary context descriptions. To enable a clearer understanding of these atypical burials we need more archaeological data. To comprehend the mortuary practices it is necessary to investigate the surviving funeral monuments, burials and human remains. In fact, through the correct analysis of cult…
A case of erosive polyarthropathy from Medieval northern Italy (12th–13th centuries)
Environmental necrophagous fauna selection in a funerary hypogeal context
A case of Paget from a Northern Italy medieval necropolis
The Bioarchaeology of Humans in Italy
In Italy, the “Archaeology of Emergency” influences the work of physical anthropologists. In fact, most archaeological excavations are not completely investigated because of the lack of funds destined to cultural heritage and the archaeological competences intervene especially when building works bump accidentally into archaeological findings. Emergency excavations cannot pull any whole osteoarchaeological sample, thus the anthropological study i…
Environmental necrophagous fauna selection in a funerary hypogeal context
A possible case of "kissing" osteochondroma and multiple enchondromas in a medieval skeleton from the church of Sant' Agostino in Caravate (Northern Italy)
This work presents the neoplastic bone changes found in the lower limb of a medieval skeleton from the church of Sant' Agostino in Caravate (Northern Italy). After briefly assessing the individual's overall pathological picture, a differential diagnosis for the neoplastic changes is now proposed. These changes were analysed macroscopically and radiographically and subsequently evaluated considering the paleopathological and clinical literature av…
Probable micronutrient deficiency diseases in a rural community. The nonadults of Mary’s Nativity church, 16th century, Trentino Alto-Adige, Italy
Tourism in the Time of Coronavirus. Fruition of the “Minor Heritage” through the Development of Bioarchaeological Sites—A Proposal
The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are and will continue to be devastating for the tourism sector, especially for the cultural one. It is necessary to reflect on the new strategies to be adopted to deal with the heavy losses that the world of cultural heritage is suffering. The great archaeological attractions will no longer be able to accommodate the prepandemic numbers and therefore we must also think of alternative routes to present …
Defects-related early childhood caries as hints of possible maternal-fetal health issues
Developmental defects of enamel (DDE) are important markers of stress as they arise from the disruption of ameloblastic activity during enamel matrix secretion and mineralization. Defects on the crowns of the deciduous dentition provide insights into maternal-fetal health because they can emerge during intrauterine development as a result of gestational issues. The presence of previous defective enamel represents one of the most predisposing caus…
Wounded to death. Holistic, multimodal reconstruction of the dynamics in a case of multiple perimortem cranial injuries from a medieval site in northern Italy
A probable case of subligamentous tuberculous spondylitis
This paper presents a probable case of subligamentous tuberculous spondylitis (STBS), a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, diagnosed in the skeleton of a middle‐aged male discovered in the ossuary of the Franciscan crypt of the St. Anthony and St. Eusebius church, which lies in north‐western Italy. The skeleton can be dated back between the 17th and 19th centuries. This rare type of tuberculosis was identified in the thoracic and lumbar sp…
Cadaverous Decomposition as a Representation of the Soul's Journey. Anthropological Evidence of a Funerary Ritual
Our archaeological and anthropological investigations carried out inside the Crypt of the Franciscan Monastery in Azzio (Varese, Northern Italy) allowed us to discover a singular funerary practice of Franciscan friars. It consisted of a secondary burial practice
Tomb number 2 of the Church of St. Michael in Mornago (Varese, Italy). Anthropological and archaeological study of medieval funeral remains
The current paper aims to present the archaeological and anthropological results of the investigation conducted on a medieval burial which presents several features that recall the Longobard culture. After the archaeological evaluations on the architectural morphology of the tomb and on the grave goods, we proceeded with the anthropological investigations on human and animal bone remains. These analyses allowed us to formulate a hypothesis relate…
The Diet of Three Medieval Individuals from Caravate (Varese, Italy). Combined Results of ICP‐MS Analysis of Trace Elements and Phytolith Analysis Conducted on Their Dental Calculus
Teeth are in close contact with foodstuffs: phenomena such as caries and wear of the crowns are precious keys to gather information on diet and cooking techniques. Phytoliths are granules of hydrated amorphous silica, which are deposited in the oral cavity while chewing fruit and vegetables and incorporated into dental calculus during its formation. In diet investigation, different plants may therefore be related to specific phytolith shapes. Ana…
A case of Paget from a Northern Italy medieval necropolis
The Bioarchaeology of Humans in Italy
In Italy, the “Archaeology of Emergency” influences the work of physical anthropologists. In fact, most archaeological excavations are not completely investigated because of the lack of funds destined to cultural heritage and the archaeological competences intervene especially when building works bump accidentally into archaeological findings. Emergency excavations cannot pull any whole osteoarchaeological sample, thus the anthropological study i…
Cadaverous Decomposition as a Representation of the Soul's Journey. Anthropological Evidence of a Funerary Ritual
Our archaeological and anthropological investigations carried out inside the Crypt of the Franciscan Monastery in Azzio (Varese, Northern Italy) allowed us to discover a singular funerary practice of Franciscan friars. It consisted of a secondary burial practice
The space of man’s death. A modern age secondary burial case in northern Italy
Much of the recent archaeological and anthropological research on Italian modern age secondary burials has focused primarily on source analysis and the funerary context descriptions. To enable a clearer understanding of these atypical burials we need more archaeological data. To comprehend the mortuary practices it is necessary to investigate the surviving funeral monuments, burials and human remains. In fact, through the correct analysis of cult…
A case of erosive polyarthropathy from Medieval northern Italy (12th–13th centuries)
Environmental necrophagous fauna selection in a funerary hypogeal context
Feline mummies as a fertilizer. Criticisms on the destruction of archaeozoological remains during the 19th century
A paper, wrote in 1890 by the Egyptologist Gaston Maspero, reveals a pioneer attempt to preserve the animal mummies from ancient Egypt with the purpose of expanding our knowledge on the former and present-day faunas of the Nile Valley. That request to enhance our historical understanding of the past from the standpoint of the animals was innovative at a time when the prevailing historical currents focused on human mummies and so-called “valuable”…
A probable case of subligamentous tuberculous spondylitis
This paper presents a probable case of subligamentous tuberculous spondylitis (STBS), a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, diagnosed in the skeleton of a middle‐aged male discovered in the ossuary of the Franciscan crypt of the St. Anthony and St. Eusebius church, which lies in north‐western Italy. The skeleton can be dated back between the 17th and 19th centuries. This rare type of tuberculosis was identified in the thoracic and lumbar sp…
Tourism in the Time of Coronavirus. Fruition of the “Minor Heritage” through the Development of Bioarchaeological Sites—A Proposal
The consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are and will continue to be devastating for the tourism sector, especially for the cultural one. It is necessary to reflect on the new strategies to be adopted to deal with the heavy losses that the world of cultural heritage is suffering. The great archaeological attractions will no longer be able to accommodate the prepandemic numbers and therefore we must also think of alternative routes to present …
Probable micronutrient deficiency diseases in a rural community. The nonadults of Mary’s Nativity church, 16th century, Trentino Alto-Adige, Italy
Wounded to death. Holistic, multimodal reconstruction of the dynamics in a case of multiple perimortem cranial injuries from a medieval site in northern Italy
Accessory sacroiliac joints and the iliosacral complex
The detection of parturition markers on archaeological pelvic bones is relevant for the reconstruction of the biological profiles of female individuals, in whose life history pregnancy represents a crucial biological event. During a preliminary study on a sample of 18 individuals from the medieval and post-medieval cemetery of San Biagio in Cittiglio (northern Italy), two skeletons exhibited evidence of noteworthy bony projections at the sacroili…
A possible case of orbital osteomyelitis from the medieval cemetery of Sant’ Agostino in Caravate (Varese, Northern Italy)
A possible case of "kissing" osteochondroma and multiple enchondromas in a medieval skeleton from the church of Sant' Agostino in Caravate (Northern Italy)
This work presents the neoplastic bone changes found in the lower limb of a medieval skeleton from the church of Sant' Agostino in Caravate (Northern Italy). After briefly assessing the individual's overall pathological picture, a differential diagnosis for the neoplastic changes is now proposed. These changes were analysed macroscopically and radiographically and subsequently evaluated considering the paleopathological and clinical literature av…
Defects-related early childhood caries as hints of possible maternal-fetal health issues
Developmental defects of enamel (DDE) are important markers of stress as they arise from the disruption of ameloblastic activity during enamel matrix secretion and mineralization. Defects on the crowns of the deciduous dentition provide insights into maternal-fetal health because they can emerge during intrauterine development as a result of gestational issues. The presence of previous defective enamel represents one of the most predisposing caus…
Calcified uterine leiomyoma from an 18th-century nunnery in North Italy
OBJECTIVE: To develop a differential diagnosis of a mass retrieved alongside skeletal remains in the crypt of the church of Santissima Annunziata of Valenza (Province of Alessandria, Northern Italy). MATERIAL: A calcified mass measuring 40 × 39 mm and 17.62 × 16.3817.62 × 16.38 mm. METHOD: The analysis utilized macroscopic assessment and histologic examination (including histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses). RESULTS: Morphological trai…
Development of a Scanning Protocol for Anthropological Remains
Structured-light scanning is a fast and efficient technique for the acquisition of 3D point clouds. However, the extensive and daily application of this class of scanners can be challenging because of the technical know-how necessary to validate the low-cost instrumentation. This challenge is worth accepting because of the large amount of data that can be collected accurately with the aid of specific technical protocols. This work is a preliminar…
Health and Heritage
Imagining life before the advent of modern medical treatments is challenging. Today, congenital dysplasia is typically diagnosed within the first months of a child’s life, allowing for timely intervention. In the past, however, this condition often went unrecognized and untreated, as evidenced by archaeological findings that document the presence of congenital dysplasia persisting into adulthood. We present the case of the individual recovered fr…
Autopsy or anatomical dissection? Comparative analysis of an osteoarchaeological sample from an 18-19th century hypogeal cemetery (northern Italy)
Skeletal evidence of post-mortem procedures is not uncommon in paleopathological studies. This aspect is often overshadowed by the description of the pathology found due to the difficulty in differentiating the stigmata left on the bones from technically similar practices such as autopsy and dissection. The discovery of five crania of adult individuals exhibiting post-mortem lesions during the bioarchaeological recovery phases of the hypogeal cem…
Elongated styloid process of an autopsied skull from the Cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, 18th-19th century (Piedmont, northern Italy)
century). The skull presents an oblique cleft, which from the top of the frontal bone bends towards the occipital, and the left styloid process is elongated compared to normal values (48 mm). The elongated styloid process is due to the ossification of the styloid ligament which has several possible causes. To increase the knowledge about this pathological condition in the past, it was necessary to compare all the data present in the literature to…
Humanizing the past
Facial approximation in archaeological contexts represents a complex intersection of science, art, and ethics. While these reconstructions offer a unique opportunity to engage the public with the past, they also raise critical concerns regarding accuracy, representation, and the dignity of the deceased. This literature review examines the ethical discourse surrounding facial approximations in museums, emphasizing the need for transparency in thei…
Anatomical alterations
Cranial anatomical variations, such as biparietal thinning, offer critical insights into the health and living conditions of ancient populations. Despite the presence of extensive archaeological records, biparietal thinning remains a relatively rare and understudied condition. This review aims to synthesize existing bioarchaeological literature on biparietal thinning, addressing its historical prevalence, geographical distribution, and potential …
A Possible Case of β‐Thalassemia From the Cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli (Piedmont, Northern Italy,18th Century)
In Italy's Piedmont region, the city of Vercelli has a history of malaria transmission due to favorable conditions for Anopheles mosquitoes, which may have influenced the genetic prevalence of thalassemia. This study investigates the skeletal remains of a nonadult individual from the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, dating to the 18th century, and suggests possible pathological changes indicative of β‐thalassemia. The skeletal analysis…
Medicine (16 obras) · Archaeology (13 obras) · Geography (12 obras) · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies (11 obras) · History (10 obras) · Paleopathology and ancient diseases (9 obras) · Biology (8 obras) · Pathology (8 obras) · Anatomy (7 obras) · Ancient history (6 obras)