Histologic and Histomorphometric Analysis of Posterior Region of the Human Temporomandibular Disc

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze histologic and histomorphometric features of the articular disc in groups with and without disc displacement. Study design A sample of 39 temporomandibular joints TMJs (31 case specimens, 8 control specimens) from 28 patients (mean age 31.2 years) were recruited for this study. The patients were considered to be affected and treated surgically with disc repositioning when presenting painful clinical signs of disc displacement after unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment for at least 6 months. Of the control patients, 4 presented condyle fracture which required opening to be reduced for treatment, and 4 displayed active condyle hyperplasia. The posterior region of the disc was removed and sent for histologic and histomorphometric analysis. Histologic (hematoxylin-eosin) and histomorphometric (picro-Sirius red) analyses were performed. Statistically significant differences between the analyzed groups were accessed through the chi-squared test (P ≤ .05). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to observe the differences between mean values when variables did not present normal distribution [Kolmogorov-Smirnov(a) test]. Results There were no significant differences between the groups in relation to the parameters studied by histologic and histomorphometric analysis (using or not using polarization). Conclusions To the limits of this study, there were no significant histologic and histomorphometric differences in the articular disc between groups with and without TMJ dysfunction

PALEOCLIMATE AND PALEOENVIRONMENT IN NORTH-WESTERN ITALY (SOUTHERN ALPS) DURING THE LAST GLACIAL STAGE: THE SMALL-MAMMAL RECORD FROM THE BUCO DEL FRATE CAVE (PREVALLE – BRESCIA)

The palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental data obtained by the study of the Buco del Frate cave small-mammals indicate that, around 40,000 years ago (MIS3), the eastern part of the province of Brescia, immediately to the west of Lake Garda, was characterised by the presence of open taiga environment and watercourses crossing the plain facing the cave. Specifically, the palaeoclimatic conditions of this part of north-western Italy around 40,000 years ago – compared to climate data for the years 1960-90 measured at Ghedi, 20 km southwest of the Buco del Frate cave – involved average temperatures some 4° C cooler and rainfall some 30% lower. Based on the collected data we show that the western part of the Po Valley, west of Lake Garda, was characterized by a steppe-like environment, not too different from the almost contemporaneous site of Settepolesini di Bondeno (Ferrara), defined as "mammoth steppe". We also note that the western Po Valley, if compared with deposits from high- and medium-mountain contexts in the same area, was characterized by a more steppe-like environment. Indeed, the mountain settings, in perhaps more sheltered areas, indicate the presence of environments with more trees (or, at least, bushes)

Spinning and weaving in a pile dwelling of four thousand years ago: data from the excavations at Lucone di Polpenazze del Garda (BS)

The pile-dwelling sites around Lake Garda in northern Italy, datable primarily to Early Bronze Age, provide important information regarding the spinning and weaving of linen and other vegetable fibres. In these settlements, not only tools for textile production in clay, bone-antler and wood, but also fragments of fabrics were found. In addition to the Trentino site of Ledro, already known for numerous fragments of linen fabric, the site of Lucone di Polpenazze is taking on considerable importance thanks to the new excavations underway since 2007. Various settlements have been identified in the inframorenic basin of the Lucone. To Lucone A, excavated from 1965 to 1971, which had already yielded various interesting materials, including numerous textile fragments, now has been added Lucone D, where numerous fragments of fabric, a spool with wound thread and various tools for spinning and weaving have been found. This paper summarises the preliminary analysis of spindle whorls, loom weights, some of the linen textile fragments and the thread preserved on a spool, which attests the intermediate stage of splicing at Lucone

Neolithic and Bronze Age textiles and textile tools from Northern Italy: the cases of Palù di Livenza (Pordenone) and Lucone di Polpenazze del Garda (Brescia)

Some of the earliest evidence of textile production in Northern Italy comes from an advanced stage of the Neo- lithic (5th–4th millennium BC). It is at this time that loom weights and spindle whorls become widespread on nu- merous archaeological sites. The contexts that have provided useful information are primarily located in humid areas and are often of pile-dwelling type. Recent information comes from the currently excavated site of Palù di Livenza (UD). After a decline in data during the third millennium BC, the evidence for textile production in- creases significantly with the beginning of the Early Bronze Age (2200–1600 BC), when the pile-dwelling model spreads across the region, particularly in the area around Lake Garda, where the surrounding pile-dwelling sites, datable primarily to Early Bronze Age, provide important evidence regarding the spinning and weaving of linen and other vegetable fibres. In these settlements, not only tools for textile production in clay, bone-antler and wood, but also fragments of fabrics have been found. In addition to the Trentino site of Molina di Ledro, well known for the numerous fragments of linen fabrics, the site of Lucone di Polpenazze is gaining considerable importance thanks to the new excavations underway since 2007. Various settlements have been identified in the inframorenic basin of the Lucone. To Lucone A, which was excavated from 1965 to 1971 and had already yielded various relevant materials, including numerous fragments of fabric, Lucone D has now been added, where several fragments of fabric, a spool with wound thread and various tools for spinning and weaving have been found. In this contribution, we present the preliminary results of the analysis of the textile tools, the fabric and textile fragments, as well as the thread preserved on a spool, which attests the intermediate stage of splicing at Lucone. The material will be placed in the wider context of textile production in prehistoric northern Italy

I siti del Neolitico, dell’età del Bronzo e della prima età del Ferro

Si presentano i risultati preliminari sui materiali ceramici rinvenuti nel sito di Casina Colombarazza (Cremona), individuato durante lavori di metanizzazione SNA

Is the dating of short tree-ring series still a challenge? New evidence from the pile dwelling of Lucone di Polpenazze (northern Italy)

International audienc

Il Bronzo tardo tra il fiume Adda e il lago di Garda: un quadro d'insieme

The Late Bronze Age between the River Adda and Lake Garda: an overview - Between the river Adda and the Garda Lake is an area with a great variety of geographical zones, in which a number of excavations and field surveys has been conducted. Research has dealt with various types of sites such as settlements, burials, cult locations, caves and rock-shelters and places devoted to specialized activities. A wealth of new data allows for the study of shared territorial strategies and common patterns in both settlement foundation and subsequent evolution through the extent of the considered area, during the Late Bronze Age (13th-10th cent BCE); a general trend appears to be the abandonment of the settlements at the end of the Bronze Age. This study focuses mainly on material culture aspects, with special attention to its most recognizable traits. Regarding the cultural aspects, this study reveals a composite picture in which the material culture of marginal areas show a number of features similar to the ones of the major and better known cultural groups of LBA Northern Italy: the sites of the north-western area appear connected with the Canegrate and Protogolasecca groups, while a small number of villages in the upper part of the plain, such as Calcinato – Ponte San Marco show some of the typical aspects of the Alpine Culture of Luco, to the north. As for the eastern part of the area, there are hints of a connection to the Protoveneti and central-Italic cultures, particularly in strategically located sites with respect to certain resources or road networks (Lovere, Cicola, Monte Guarda). Overall, a complex and varied state of affairs in which multi-directional and diverse contacts seem to be active, sometimes in the same areas and during the same period

Ricostruire strutture di tipo palafitticolo dell'antica età del Bronzo: il caso del sito D del Lucone

The settlement of Lucone di Polpenazze del Garda (site D) has been the subject of research, under ministerial concession, by the Archaeological Museum of Valle Sabbia since 2007 . The site, dated through dendrochronology between 2034 and 1967 cal BC ±10, is an interesting example of an early Bronze Age pile- dwelling settlement. The excavation is divided into two sectors: for the first, a programme of extensive dating of all vertical poles using dendrochronology made it possible to recognize the various felling phases and therefore the contemporary elements. The research at Lucone revealed a series of issues regarding both the man- agement of the impressive amount of planimetric and chronological data, and the interpreration of a more complex operational chain of timber exploitation than expected, which may have included the storage of felled trunks in successive years and the possible reuse of structural elements already in place. The dendro- chronological data was therefore combined with the planimetric data and dendrotypological observations as part of a specifically implemented GIS project to arrive at plan hypotheses. A very important aspect of the site is the fact that the settlement was affected by a fire, which led to the collapse of the structures and to the preservation of many wooden and clay structural elements belonging to the elevation of the houses. This gives us the opportunity to assess the characteristics of a wooden architecture based on various types of joints and ropes. Particularly interesting are the two beams of approximately 8 meters with 25 quadrangular holes, while the wooden door with a composite structure is unique in the panorama of Italian pile-dwelling settlements. Thanks to this situation, the possibility of carrying out a virtual reconstruction of one of the identified building with all the available data is being studied