Possible Human Sacrifice at the Origins of Rome: Novel Skeletal Evidences.
Authors
Laura Ottini
Departments of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
Luciana Rita Angeletti
Departments of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
Walter Benedetto Pantano
Archaeological Superintendence of Rome.
Mario Falchetti
Departments of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
Simona Minozzi
Department of Etology,Ecology and Evolution,Unit of Anthropology,University of Pisa
Patrizia Fortini
Archaeological Superintendence of Rome
Paola Catalano
Archaeological Superintendence of Rome
Renato Mariani-Costantini
Department of Oncology and Neurosciences,University "Gabriele D'Annunzio",Chieti,Italy
Keywords:
Ancient Rome, Capitol Hill,paleopathology, Human sacrifice, Cranial fracture
Abstract
Recent archaeological excavations at the Carcer/Tullianum,in the Roman Forum, allowed the unexpected recovery of human burials associated with the very early foundations of the monument,at the beginning of the iron age.The study of these burials resulted in interesting paleopathological discoveries,concerning the skeleton of a strongly-built male,radiocarbon-dated between 830 and 780 BC.The telltale posture of the skeleton and the presence of a massive perimortal blunt force trauma of the skull shed light on the mode and circumstances of the death of this subject,and are suggestive of ritual sacrifice.The archaeological, mythological and historical backgrounds,combined with the paleopathological evidence,help us to get a glimpse of life and death at the origins of Rome.
