Stabbed to death: an osteobiography example of violence among Longobards (Povegliano Veronese, Italy, 6th-8th c CE)

Abstract

Here we report the reconstruction of the osteobiography of an adult male buried in the Longobard cemetery of Povegliano Veronese (Northern Italy, late 6th – early 8th century CE), who shows signs of interpersonal violence. The palaeopathological investigation reveals sharp force traumas on the body of the fourth lumbar vertebra and on two right ribs. The absence of signs of healing or bone remodelling indicates that the defects were perimortem. The injuries probably affected vital organs, leading to death. Further macroscopic observations of the skeleton suggest horseback-riding activity. Strontium isotope data from tooth enamel indicate a non-local origin of the individual. X-ray and CT scan acquisition and Scanning Electron Microscopy analyses were performed to investigate the bone defects. His osteobiography was interpreted and contextualised in the complex socio-political scenario of post-classical Italy. The results document that he spent his childhood outside the Povegliano Veronese area, that during his life he was likely a horseback rider active in battle, but that his violent death did not happen during warfare/battle. This multi-layered approach, supported by archaeological information, osteological investigation, biomolecular analysis, and virtual imagery, allowed for the extensive reconstruction of an individual's life history.

Death in the high mountains: Evidence of interpersonal violence during Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age at Roc de les Orenetes (Eastern Pyrenees, Spain)

“…The chop marks produced by metal weapons are characterized by clean cuts with a V-shaped crosssection, smooth walls, with the lifting of a bone flake following the direction of the blow, and without great damage or fracturing of the surrounding bone tissue (SI, Figure S5). These SFT have been widely documented in the archeological record to permit comparison with those found in the osteological assemblage from Roc de les Orenetes (Brinker et al, 2016;Cohen et al, 2015;Dittmar et al, 2019;Fernández-Crespo et al, 2020;Forsom et al, 2017;Jiménez-Brobeil et al, 2014;Jordana et al, 2009;Nicklisch et al, 2022;Tumler et al, 2019;Valoriani et al, 2017;Zeppilli et al, 2023).…”

“…In addition, all the marks are subparallel and with a proximal or inferosuperior orientation, so that every chop was made upwards in the standard anatomical position. The rib may have received several stab wounds from the side of the individual (Jiménez-Brobeil et al, 2014;Kaliszan, 2011;Schmidt & Pollak, 2006;Tumler et al, 2019;Zeppilli et al, 2023), causing considerable damage to internal organs. Both cases represent repeated actions not related to disarticulation or defleshing of the remains but were to cause serious injury.…”