Social differentiation and well‑being in the Italian Iron Age: exploring the relationship between sex, age, biological stress, and burial complexity among the Picenes of Novilara (8th–7th c. BC)

The restoration of the archaeological finds from Novilara was performed in the frame of the "Progetto di restauro degli oggetti di corredo rinvenuti nella necropoli picena di Novilara" (Swiss Federal Office of Culture) and with the additional financial support of Fondazione Scavolini (Italy).The possible association between “biological” and “social” status in the past is a central topic in bioarchaeological studies. For the Italian Iron Age, previous research comparing skeletal and funerary variables depicts a multifaceted scenario consistent with nuanced biocultural patterns. This calls for additional studies on a broader series of archaeological contexts and skeletal assemblages. Here, we contribute new data about the biological correlates of social differentiation during the Italian Iron Age by comparing paleopathological and funerary variables in the Picene necropolis of Novilara (Marche region, 8th–7th c. BC). Novilara is one of the largest Picene necropolises in the Italian Peninsula and one of the most important funerary sites of the Italian Iron Age. The skeletal sample includes 147 individuals (females: 70; males: 35; 10 unsexed adults; 32 non-adults). We use linear enamel hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, non-specific periosteal lesions, and stature to approximate non-specific stressors and compare them with archaeological variables summarizing funerary variability by means of logistic models, Mann–Whitney and Spearman tests. Results are heterogeneous and vary according to the considered variables. On average, they however show that (a) adults featuring a more complex funerary treatment have a lower probability of showing stress-related skeletal changes, and (b) even though funerary features suggests a strong gender differentiation, frequencies of paleopathological variables do not differ between sexes. Our analyses point to a complex link between biological and social status in this population and call for a critical reflection about the theoretical and methodological issues affecting similar studies.Fondazione Scavolini (Italy

Implementación de técnica de cultivo para la investigación de Legionella pneumophila en depósitos domiciliarios de agua potable en Resistencia, Chaco

Legionella pneumophila es una bacteria ambiental capaz de sobrevivir en un amplio intervalo de condiciones físico-químicas y de colonizar los sistemas de distribución y almacenamiento del agua potable. Es el principal patógeno trasmitido por el agua que produce el 90% de los casos de legionelosis. El objetivo del trabajo fue realizar la puesta a punto de la técnica por cultivo para la vigilancia de L. pneumophila en depósitos domiciliarios de agua potable acorde con la normativa internacional. En las muestras de agua analizadas no se obtuvo desarrollo de L. pneumophila; la cepa utilizada como control positivo, permitió constatar la aptitud de los medios utilizados para la detección de este patógeno en las muestras de agua. La vigilancia de este microorganismo en el agua de consumo humano representa el primer paso en pos de abordar el control de su diseminación hacia huéspedes susceptibles

Early medieval Italian Alps: reconstructing diet and mobility in the valleys

In Early Middle Ages (sixth\u2013eleventh centuries AD), South Tyrol (Italian Alps) played a key role for geographical and military reasons. Historical sources document that allochthonous groups (germani) entered the territory, and the material culture shows mutual cultural exchanges between autochthonous and germani. Besides the nature of the migration, the demographic and socio-cultural impacts on the local population are still unknown. Stable isotope analyses were performed to provide insights into dietary patterns, subsistence strategies, changes in socio-economic structures, and mobility, according to spatial (e.g. valleys, altitudes) and chronological (centuries) parameters. Bone collagen of 32 faunal and 91 human bone samples from nine sites, located at different altitudes, was extracted for stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analyses. In total, 94% (30/32) of the faunal remains were of good quality, while the humans displayed 93% (85/91) of good quality samples for \u3b413C and \u3b415N and 44% (40/91) for \u3b434S stable isotopes. The isotopic results of the animals reflected a terrestrial-based diet. Statistical differences were observed within and among the humans of the different valleys. The \u3b413C values of individuals sampled from higher altitudes indicated a mainly C3 plant-based diet compared to areas at lower altitudes, where more positive \u3b413C values showed an intake of C4 plants. The \u3b415N values suggested a terrestrial-based diet with a greater consumption of animal proteins at higher altitudes. The data revealed higher variability in \u3b434S values in the Adige valley, with individuals probably migrating and/or changing dietary habits

The application of different 3D-scan-systems and photogrammetry at an excavation — A Neolithic dolmen from Switzerland

The discovery of a Neolithic dolmen in Switzerland with inhumations, dating between 3500 and 3000 BCE, was an exceptional finding. To provide best conditions for subsequent studies on the archaeological remains our interdisciplinary team decided to apply 3D documentation. Depending on different factors, two scanning systems with four scanners and photogrammetry were applied and the obtained data was combined. Detailed excavation plans and simultaneously a reduction of excavation time without loss of information were the result. A virtual animation of the dolmen in its reconstructed ancient appearance combined with the context of the grave goods was created. The 3D documentation provided initial data for anthropological and paleogenetic analyses. The individuals buried in the dolmen might provide novel information to the Neolithic research of central Europe. Additionally, with the help of the 3D data, the dolmen was rebuilt to make this archaeological heritage accessible to the public