Analysis of ante-mortem injuries in medieval skeletons from the necropolis of Caravate (Varese) Italy

Aim: the purpose of this study is to investigate the ante-mortem cranial traumas in the skeletal remains of the medieval necropolis of Caravate (Varese). The skull injuries were classified according to their location, type, frequency, age, and sex distributions to clarify the specific causes of the traumas. Materials and methods: the human skeletal remains of twenty individuals were discovered during an archaeological excavation near the church of St. Agostine (8-9th century). We used classical physical anthropological methods for the identification (race, sex, age at death, stature). For the trauma investigations we used radiological analyses (X-ray: 16-layer Hitachi Etlos). Results: six skeletons present cranial traumas. The types of skull lesions diagnosed are principally blunt trauma and perforation trauma. Traumas are present in all age groups and in both sexes. Conclusions: the significant number of traumas found in the osteological remains of Caravate reveal the possible presence of interpersonal violence in the little community of St. Agostine. In the paleopathological studies the prevalence of traumatic skull lesions among the ancient population suggests a relatively high rate of inter and intra-group violence.