Original scientific paper
Anthropological and Cultural Features of a Skeletal Sample of Horsemen from the Medieval Necropolis of Vicenne-Campochiaro (Molise, Italy)
M. G. Belcastro
F. Facchini
Abstract
In the medieval necropolis of Vicenne (Italy) among 130 skeletons, thirteen horsemen,
recognized on the basis of the contextual burials with horse, have been found. This
rite, rarely found in Europe, recalls an Asian rite, attested from the Iron Age to the Age
of Migration in nomadic Asian populations. Local and Germanic goods were also found.
In order to study the anthropological composition of this population, some morphometrical
skeletal features have been analyzed. Heterogeneity both in the horsemen and in
the other males of the necropolis has been observed. Besides the multicultural context
testified by archaeological data, a multiethnic society seems to emerge by the anthropological
analysis. In these Italian territories, involved by migrations, Asian and Germanic
population probably crossed with the local ones.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
28319
URI
Publication date:
17.12.2001.
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