Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna and sex identification of two skeletons from the Early Middle Ages necropolis of Vicenne‐Campochiaro (Molise, Italy)

Abstract

Lesions attributable to Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna (HFI) were examined in two skulls (from graves 100 and 113) from the Early Middle Ages necropolis of Vicenne-Campochiaro (Molise, Italy). Both skeletons were of older individuals and it was difficult to sex them using standard anthropological methods. We discuss the sex identification of the skeletons in relation to the presence of HFI, as well as the usefulness of this pathological condition as a sex marker, underlining the importance of the relationship between palaeopathological and clinicalforensic studies. Our study is a further contribution to the case history of HFI in osteoarchaeological material.

Hyperostosis frontalis interna: An Egyptian case referred to the second dynasty (2890–2650BC) from Tarkhan-Egypt

“…Two skeletons of old individual dating to early middle ages from necropolis of Vicenne-Campochiaro (Italy) showed advanced HFI [33].…”

Health Patterns of the Etruscan Population (6th–3rd Centuries bc) in Northern Italy: The Case of Spina

“…Its aetiology is uncertain but its association with Morgagni‐Stewart‐Morel‐Moore syndrome, a metabolic disturbance typical of post‐menopausal women and accompanied by virilism, hirsutism, obesity and behavioural disturbances, is generally accepted; it also seems to be influenced by hormonal and genetic factors. According to literature reports of the lesion (Armelagos & Chrisman, ; Watrous et al ., ; Hershkovitz et al ., ; Devriendt et al ., ; Belcastro et al ., ; Hajdu et al ., ), two females (>50 years old) in the Spina sample were affected by HFI.…”

Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases

“…These alterations may be present also on other bones of the skull (Belcastro et al 2006). The lesions take the form of nodular, irregular overgrowth of the inner surface of the frontal bone, with the simultaneous thickening.…”