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Belcastro MG, Nicolosi T, Sorrentino R, Mariotti V, Pietrobelli A, Bettuzzi M, Morigi MP, Benazzi S, Talamo S, Miari M, Preti N, Castagna L, Pisani L, Grandi L, Baraldi P, Zannini P, Scarponi D, De Waele J. Unveiling an odd fate after death: The isolated Eneolithic cranium discovered in the Marcel Loubens Cave (Bologna, Northern Italy). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247306. [PMID: 33657148 PMCID: PMC7928464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An isolated human cranium, dated to the early Eneolithic period, was discovered in 2015 at the top of a vertical shaft in the natural Marcel Loubens gypsum Cave (Bologna area, northern Italy). No other anthropological or archaeological remains were found inside the cave. In other caves of the same area anthropic and funerary use are attested from prehistory to more recent periods. We focused on investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of this individual, since the cranium shows signs of some lesions that appear to be the results of a perimortem manipulation probably carried out to remove soft tissues. Anthropological analyses revealed that the cranium belonged to a young woman. We analysed the taphonomic features and geological context to understand how and why the cranium ended up (accidentally or intentionally) in the cave. The analyses of both the sediments accumulated inside the cranium and the incrustations and pigmentation covering its outer surface suggested that it fell into the cave, drawn by a flow of water and mud, likely from the edges of a doline. The accidental nature of the event is also seemingly confirmed by some post-mortem lesions on the cranium. The comparison with other Eneolithic archaeological sites in northern Italy made it possible to interpret the find as likely being from a funerary or ritual context, in which corpse dismemberment (in particular the displacement of crania) was practiced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Belcastro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Teresa Nicolosi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Sorrentino
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department for the Cultural Heritage, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Valentina Mariotti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pietrobelli
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Bettuzzi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Morigi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Benazzi
- Department for the Cultural Heritage, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Sahra Talamo
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Miari
- Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of the provinces of Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Ferrara, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nevio Preti
- Gruppo Speleologico Bolognese (GBS)—Unione Speleologica Bolognese (USB), Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucia Castagna
- Gruppo Speleologico Bolognese (GBS)—Unione Speleologica Bolognese (USB), Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Pisani
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Gruppo Speleologico Bolognese (GBS)—Unione Speleologica Bolognese (USB), Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Grandi
- Gruppo Speleologico Bolognese (GBS)—Unione Speleologica Bolognese (USB), Bologna, Italy
| | - Pietro Baraldi
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of the Studies of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Zannini
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of the Studies of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Scarponi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jo De Waele
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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