Abstract

This paper provides anthropological data on the Upper Paleolithic skeletons from Grotta Santa Maria d’Agnano in Ostuni (BR) and describes their anatomical characteristics in the context of remains from the same time period. The importance of the cave as a burial site was identified in the autumn of 1991 by Donato Coppola who noticed a few human bones in the roof of a small cavity existing below the floor of the upper cave of Santa Maria d’Agnano. This unique situation, resulting from the partial natural erosion of the deposit underlying the burial, had exposed and made visible from below various elements of an adult human skeleton (Ostuni 1) and some elements of a foetal skeleton (Ostuni 1b). The precarious conditions of the deposit and of the remains (which seemed to be suspended on the ceiling of the cavity), as well as the need to preserve the two skeletons in the original position required isolation and rapid removal of the bulk of sediment containing the burial. During this phase, a second burial (Ostuni 2), located not far from the first but not visible in the ceiling of the lower cavity, necessitated further preservation. Two blocks of sediment containing the burials were removed and transported in the Museum of ‘Civiltà Preclassiche’ in Ostuni where the subsequent work took place. The state of preservation of the remains and maintenance of the mutual positions of the skeletal elements within the deposit, attest the success and efficiency of the recovery operations. The second burial of Grotta Santa Maria d’Agnano was completely embedded in a very tough concrete-like sediment, impossible to remove without damaging the bones. The skeleton, probably lying prevalently on its right side, and in a flexed position, belongs to an adult individual, based on dental eruption and wear. Sex can not be diagnosed. The remains from the first burial, due to the less concretionary nature of deposit, were in an excellent state of preservation and not too difficult to isolate. This burial is very peculiar, including the remains of a young woman in advanced state of pregnancy. These remains therefore refer to a maternal skeleton (Ostuni 1) and to a foetal skeleton (Ostuni 1b). The maternal skeleton was lying on its left side and in a flexed position. The lower limb bones were flexed both at the hip and knee. The right forearm was placed across the abdominal area with the hand resting on the left ilium. The left arm was completely flexed and the hand was placed under the cranium that was laid on the left side and facing downwards. The foetal skeleton was found in the maternal abdominal area. The elements of the cranial vault, in particular the parietals, were recovered under the right maternal pubic bone and not far from the foetal mandible. In correspondence to the maternal promontory, on the ventral face of the first sacral element, the foetal upper limb bones were found approximately in anatomical connection and strongly flexed. The thoracic elements were lying in part on the sacrum, i.e. in the lower region of the maternal iliac cavity, while the foetal spine appear oriented along the longitudinal axis of the maternal body. Cranially, on the left iliac crest, the diaphyses of the tibia and fibula were found partly covered by the right maternal radius. The foetal femurs and the two iliac portions of the pelvis were located at the extremity of and lateral to the foetal tibia, and nearly touching the distal portion of the right maternal radius. The foetal head, therefore, occupied the lesser pelvis while the body and the limbs were found approximately in the greater pelvis. The maternal skeleton is almost complete. Only a few hand bones are missing, while most of the foot bones are still embedded in the sediments; minor loss occurred in the basilar part of the occipital bone and in the facial and orbital areas. The state of conservation of the remains is good. The Ostuni 1 skeleton

Autore Pugliese

• Vacca Eligio

Tutti gli autori

• VACCA E.

Titolo volume/Rivista

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Anno di pubblicazione

2012

ISSN

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ISBN

978-88-903346-5-8

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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