A Double Burial from Shahr-I Sokhta Necropolis (Iran). Bioarcheological Investigations and Non-Invasive Biotechnological Studies on Fragments of Human Remains

Bibliographic Data

ID22112174
AuthorsClaudio Milanesi (0000-0001-6906-7236, University of Siena), Rita Vignani (0000-0002-7024-5965, University of Siena), Monica Scali (0000-0002-8551-8823, University of Siena), Claudia Faleri (0000-0002-7949-0174, University of Siena), Mauro Cresti, Matteo Delle Donne (University of Naples - L'Orientale), Alessandro Canci (University of Udine), Martina Friziero (Ca' Foscari University of Venice), Alessandro Sebastiani (0000-0003-4118-0274, University of Naples - L'Orientale), Seyed Mansour Seyed Sajjadi
Year2023
Volume11
Issue01
Pages1-15
Publication date2023-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArchaeological Discovery (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2331-1959 • E-ISSN: 2331-1967
PublisherScientific Research Publishing, Inc. (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.4236/ad.2023.111001
OpenAlexW4313412492
LanguageEN
References cited27

The archaeological site of Shahr-i Sokhta, in the Sistan region of south-eastern Iran, is noted for the exceptional preservation of human remains documented in its necropolis. This report describes the results of a non-destructive multidisciplinary investigation into a double burial excavated at Shahr-i Sokhta, preserving two skeletons of subadults. The first part of this study provides an archaeotanatological and bioarchaeological description of the burial. Next, we detail the results of the biotechnological techniques applied to bone fragments pertaining to the femurs of the buried children. Following a non-destructive process for studying these samples, we employ a micromolecular technique based on morphological observation using optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. This molecular analysis of the bone fragments proves the presence of organic compounds such as tubulin. Through these investigations, we demonstrate that it is possible, utilizing only a few grams of sample, to obtain useful details for scientific research based on non-destructive interdisciplinary investigations

Archaeology · Biology · Geography · Human bone · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access