Infantile scurvy as a consequence of agricultural intensification in the 1st millennium BCE Etruria Campana.

The 1st millennium BCE in Italy was a time of agricultural intensification of staple cereal production which shaped sociocultural, political, and economic spheres of pre-Roman groups. The lifeways and foodways of the Etruscans, the greatest civilization in western Europe before Roman hegemony, are traditionally inferred from secondary written sources, funerary archaeology, archaeobotany, and zooarchaeology. However, no direct data extrapolated from the study of human skeletal remains are available to evaluate the extent to which agricultural intensification and decreased dietary diversity impacted health and the expression of skeletal indicators of metabolic disease. Macroscopic and radiological analyses were conducted on an archaeological skeletal sample of non-adults (n = 29) recovered from Pontecagnano (southern Italy) dating to the Orientalizing period (730-580 BCE). This allowed us to identify five cases of scorbutic non-adults and to assign diagnostic values to skeletal lesions of scurvy that have not been previously described in the literature. The onset of scurvy in the examined sample is related to the increased reliance of Etruscans on crops lacking vitamin C in this period of agricultural intensification. The skeletal expression of scurvy varied among the non-adults, with differences in location and disease severity; these were interpreted considering the age-at-death of the individuals coupled with feeding behaviors and interindividual variability.

A case of secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy from medieval Tuscany (central Italy, 10th-12th centuries CE).

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to provide a detailed evaluation of a case of secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA) and to explore insights into the presence and consequences of disease in medieval rural Italy. MATERIALS: The skeleton of a male (US 4405) with an estimated age at death of 51-69 years excavated from the medieval rural site of Pieve di Pava (Siena, Italy). METHODS: Macroscopic and radiological (x-ray, CT) analyses were performed. RESULTS: Symmetrical extensive periosteal new bone formation on the diaphyseal and metaphyseal regions of this individual's long bones; the lower limbs were more extensively and severely affected than the upper limbs and the distal segments were more severely altered in comparison to the proximal ones. CONCLUSIONS: The macroscopic and radiological features are highly consistent with a diagnosis of secondary HOA. SIGNIFICANCE: The excellent state of preservation allowed the evaluation of rarely noted skeletal manifestations of HOA and provided insight into aspects of rural life in medieval Italy. LIMITATIONS: Molecular analysis was not successful in sequencing the aDNA of tuberculosis, therefore the underlying primary cause of secondary HOA, whether pulmonary or extrapulmonary, remains obscure in this case. SUGGESTION FOR THE FUTURE RESEARCH: It is advisable to regularly revisit the data available from osteoarchaeological collections in order to identify further cases of HOA, along with to further investigate the known cases to search for the underlying primary disease.

A 14th century CE Brucella melitensis genome and the recent expansion of the Western Mediterranean clade.

Brucellosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Brucella and typically transmitted through contact with infected ruminants. It is one of the most common chronic zoonotic diseases and of particular interest to public health agencies. Despite its well-known transmission history and characteristic symptoms, we lack a more complete understanding of the evolutionary history of its best-known species-Brucella melitensis. To address this knowledge gap we fortuitously found, sequenced and assembled a high-quality ancient B. melitensis draft genome from the kidney stone of a 14th-century Italian friar. The ancient strain contained fewer core genes than modern B. melitensis isolates, carried a complete complement of virulence genes, and did not contain any indication of significant antimicrobial resistances. The ancient B. melitensis genome fell as a basal sister lineage to a subgroup of B. melitensis strains within the Western Mediterranean phylogenetic group, with a short branch length indicative of its earlier sampling time, along with a similar gene content. By calibrating the molecular clock we suggest that the speciation event between B. melitensis and B. abortus is contemporaneous with the estimated time frame for the domestication of both sheep and goats. These results confirm the existence of the Western Mediterranean clade as a separate group in the 14th CE and suggest that its divergence was due to human and ruminant co-migration.

Solitary osteochondromas in paleo-oncology: A case report from 4th-century BCE Pontecagnano (southern Italy).

OBJECTIVE: This study presents a new case of solitary osteochondroma (SOC) identified on the proximal tibia of a 4th-century BCE individual from Pontecagnano (Salerno, Italy) with an aim to contribute to differential diagnosis of bone tumors in archeological contexts. MATERIALS: Paleopathological assessment of a male individual with an estimated age-at death of 45.9-62.9 years brought to light during the archaeological excavations in the funerary sector of 'Sica de Concillis' within the necropolis of Pontecagnano. METHODS: Macroscopic and radiographic analyses were performed for diagnostic purposes. RESULTS: The proximal portion of the right tibia exhibited a large exophytic bone formation extending from the anteromedial to the posteromedial portion of the diaphysis. The x-ray confirmed the lesion being characterized by regular trabecular bone tissue with cortico-medullary continuity. CONCLUSIONS: The lesion observed is diagnostic of sessile SOC, a neoplasm that must have had aesthetic and, possibly, neurovascular complications due to its large size. SIGNIFICANCE: By offering a detailed description of a case of tibial osteochondroma and discussing the possible complications the individual might have experienced during life, this study highlights the role and importance of benign bone tumors in paleo-oncology. LIMITATIONS: Histological analysis was not carried out in order to preserve the integrity of the affected tibia. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: More attention should be devoted to benign tumors in paleopathology as their occurrence and manifestations in the past will lead to a better understanding of their impacts on the quality of life of affected individuals and to greater knowledge of their natural history.

Contextualizing bilateral asymmetry and gender: A multivariate approach to femoral cross-sectional geometry at rural Medieval Pieve di Pava, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to identify the relationship between biocultural factors of sex-gender and age and patterns of femoral cross-sectional geometry with historical evidence about labor and activity from an archeological skeletal sample excavated from the rural Medieval site Pieve di Pava. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study site, Pieve di Pava, was a rural parish cemetery in Tuscany with osteoarcheological remains from the 7th to 12th centuries. Cross-sectional geometric analysis of femora from 110 individuals dated to the 10th-12th centuries were used to examine trends in bone quantity, shape, and bending strength between age and sex groups, as well as in clusters identified through Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). RESULTS: Overall, our study sample showed remarkable heterogeneity and our cluster analysis revealed a complex underlying structure, indicating that divisions of labor did not follow a strict gender binary in our sample. We found high levels of bilateral asymmetry in our sample in multiple cross-sectional areas for a significant proportion of the population. We found minimal differences between age groups or sex. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that males and females had varied experiences of labor and work during their lives that did not reflect the strict binary gender roles sometimes documented for medieval Europe. One important axis of difference is the direction and magnitude of bilateral asymmetry observed in our femur sample, which is associated with divergent trends in section moduli and bone area measures.

Francesco Maria Fiorentini (1603-1673): An Italian physician in 'The Iron Century'.

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the figure of Francesco Maria Fiorentini, a 17th-century physician from Lucca (Tuscany, Italy) and member of the Iatromechanical School, who distinguished himself for his role during the plague and the typhus epidemics that spread throughout Italy in the first half of that century. His work must be contextualized in a precise historical moment, which marked the gradual transition of Western medicine from the archaism of Galenic doctrine to that of the Iatromechanical School, when the foundations started to be laid for an experimental type of medicine that based its assumptions on the direct observation of phenomena concerning the human body. In this work, we mainly focus on the medical biography of Fiorentini and on the reasons why he enjoyed great social prestige among the most prominent figures of his time. However, Fiorentini should also be remembered as a multifaceted scholar, as evidenced by his numerous writings, which underline his erudition in disparate fields of knowledge.

Back to the Middle Ages: Entomological and Botanical Elements Reveal New Aspects of the Burial of Saint Davino of Armenia.

The natural mummy of Saint Davino Armeno (11th century) is preserved in the church of Saint Michele in Foro in the city of Lucca (Tuscany, Central Italy). The body of Davino is one of the oldest Italian mummies of a Saint, and his paleopathological study was performed in 2018. In the present research, we investigated the arthropod fragments and botanical remains collected from the body, coffin, and fabrics of Saint Davino. Entomological analyses outlined the presence of 192 arthropod fragments. Among these, Diptera, Muscidae (Hydrotaea capensis and Muscina sp.), and Phoridae (Conicera sp.) puparia were the most abundant. Regarding Coleoptera, Ptinidae (Anobium punctatum) were the most frequent, followed by Cleridae (Necrobia sp.), Trogidae (Trox scaber), Curculionidae (Sitophilus granarius), and Histeridae (Gnathoncus). Cocoons of Tineidae and Pyralidae moths were found, along with a propodeum joined to the petiole and a mesopleuron of an Ichneumoninae parasitoid. Numerous metamera of Julida and three scorpion fragments were also found. Botanical samples indicated the presence of a quite broad botanical community, including gramineous species, olives, evergreen oaks, and grapevine. Overall, entomological data allow us to argue that Saint Davino was first buried into the soil, probably in a wooden coffin, thus supporting the historical-hagiographic tradition according to which he was buried sub divo in the cemetery of Saint Michele. The preservation of the body as a natural mummy may have been facilitated by burial in a coffin that prevented direct contact of the corpse with the earth. Botanical remains offer confirmation of a late medieval urban environment rich in horticultural areas and trees, giving us a landscape that is very different from the current Tuscan city.

Examining pathogen DNA recovery across the remains of a 14th century Italian friar (Blessed Sante) infected with Brucella melitensis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate variation in ancient DNA recovery of Brucella melitensis, the causative agent of brucellosis, from multiple tissues belonging to one individual MATERIALS: 14 samples were analyzed from the mummified remains of the Blessed Sante, a 14 th century Franciscan friar from central Italy, with macroscopic diagnosis of probable brucellosis. METHODS: Shotgun sequencing data from was examined to determine the presence of Brucella DNA. RESULTS: Three of the 14 samples contained authentic ancient DNA, identified as belonging to B. melitensis. A genome (23.81X depth coverage, 0.98 breadth coverage) was recovered from a kidney stone. Nine of the samples contained reads classified as B. melitensis (7-169), but for many the data quality was insufficient to withstand our identification and authentication criteria. CONCLUSIONS: We identified significant variation in the preservation and abundance of B. melitensis DNA present across multiple tissues, with calcified nodules yielding the highest number of authenticated reads. This shows how greatly sample selection can impact pathogen identification. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results demonstrate variation in the preservation and recovery of pathogen DNA across tissues. This study highlights the importance of sample selection in the reconstruction of infectious disease burden and highlights the importance of a holistic approach to identifying disease. LIMITATIONS: Study focuses on pathogen recovery in a single individual. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Further analysis of how sampling impacts aDNA recovery will improve pathogen aDNA recovery and advance our understanding of disease in past peoples.

A 16th century Escherichia coli draft genome associated with an opportunistic bile infection.

Escherichia coli - one of the most characterized bacteria and a major public health concern - remains invisible across the temporal landscape. Here, we present the meticulous reconstruction of the first ancient E. coli genome from a 16th century gallstone from an Italian mummy with chronic cholecystitis. We isolated ancient DNA and reconstructed the ancient E. coli genome. It consisted of one chromosome of 4446 genes and two putative plasmids with 52 genes. The E. coli strain belonged to the phylogroup A and an exceptionally rare sequence type 4995. The type VI secretion system component genes appears to be horizontally acquired from Klebsiella aerogenes, however we could not identify any pathovar specific genes nor any acquired antibiotic resistances. A sepsis mouse assay showed that a closely related contemporary E. coli strain was avirulent. Our reconstruction of this ancient E. coli helps paint a more complete picture of the burden of opportunistic infections of the past.

Exploring activity-induced dental modifications in medieval Pieve di Pava (central Italy, 10th-12th centuries AD).

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the following aspects: i) presence of activity-induced dental modifications (AIDMs) in a medieval population from Pieve di Pava (Siena, central Italy); ii) sex-specific and age-specific distribution of AIDMs in the sample; iii) potential correlations between AIDMs and the tradi tional activities and cultural habits of rural communities in medieval Italy. DESIGN: The permanent teeth of 204 individuals buried at Pieve di Pava (10th-12th centuries AD) were systematically examined in order to assess the distribution of five types of AIDM, i.e. lingual surface attrition of the maxillary anterior teeth (LSAMAT), excessive occlusal load, grooving, notching, and chipping. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of LSAMAT, excessive occlusal load and grooving were low, whereas higher frequencies were recorded for the other types of AIDMs. Prevalence was higher in the male subsample for all the modifications recorded. Overall, the frequencies of AIDMs increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: The very low prevalence of LSAMAT was thought to be connected to leatherworking in the sample under study, while excessive occlusal load was interpreted as evidence that hard materials requiring preliminary chewing and softening were not regularly processed with teeth. The unique case of interproximal grooving in an old male individual may reflect the use of a toothpick for therapeutic purpose. Conversely, the very high prevalence of notching and chipping was taken as indicative of the processing of wool fibers. The sex-specific distribution of these AIDMs suggests that males performed activities involving the use of teeth more frequently than females.

Paleopathology of Endocranial Lesions: A Possible Case of a Middle Meningeal Artery Aneurysm in an Etruscan Child from Pontecagnano (Southern Italy).

A middle meningeal artery (MMA) aneurysm is a type of intracranial aneurysm that has been rarely documented and is not completely understood in clinical medicine and especially in pediatrics, because juvenile cases have been extremely uncommon. Vascular conditions have occasionally been diagnosed in osteoarchaeological remains, providing evidence of their occurrence in previous eras. In the present report, we have described a lesion that was highly consistent with a case of an MMA aneurysm observed in an Etruscan child, whose remains had been exhumed during archaeological excavations in the necropolis of Pontecagnano (Salerno, southern Italy). The remains date back to the seventh to sixth century BC. Macroscopic and radiological examinations revealed an oval depression in the endocranial area corresponding to the parietal branch of the right MMA. The localized thinning of the bone and the absence of a bone reaction were compatible with a long-lasting compression of vascular origin highly consistent with an MMA aneurysm. Primary malignant bone tumors, bone metastasis, benign neoplastic conditions, and other non-neoplastic conditions, including calvarial venous malformations, eosinophilic granuloma, and sarcoidosis, could be excluded from the differential diagnosis, although the occurrence of other pathologies, such as dural arteriovenous fistulas, could not be rejected. Although it was not possible to definitely establish whether the MMA aneurysm was symptomatic, it could not be ruled out that rupture and subsequent extradural hemorrhage and/or intracranial hemorrhage could have caused the death of the child. From a paleopathological viewpoint, the case illustrated provides an interesting historical perspective on a rare neurovascular disorder that continues to be debated in modern clinical research.

Maxillary sinusitis as a respiratory health indicator: a bioarchaeological investigation into medieval central Italy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess chronic maxillary sinusitis in an osteoarchaeological sample from the medieval rural site of Pieve di Pava (central Italy), to investigate triggers responsible for sinus inflammation, and to compare prevalence rates with coeval European rural sites. MATERIALS: The analysis focused on 145 10th-12th-century adults with at least one preserved maxillary sinus. METHODS: Sinusitis-related lesions were observed macroscopically and microscopically. Alveolar pathologies of the maxillary posterior dentition were recorded to investigate the impact of odontogenic sinusitis. RESULTS: Maxillary sinusitis was observed in 23.4% of the individuals (n = 34), with similar frequencies in both sexes and bilateral sinusitis appearing more frequently than unilateral sinusitis. An association of alveolar lesions with sinusitis was found in 38.2% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to coeval rural sites in Northern Europe, Pieve di Pava shows the lowest prevalence of maxillary sinusitis, likely reflecting a greater amount of time spent outdoors. Despite the small size of the sample, odontogenic sinusitis cannot be ruled out. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first Italian study to investigate maxillary sinusitis and to focus on the Mediterranean area, contributing to the understanding of this condition as a health indicator in ancient populations. LIMITATIONS: Research limitations include preservation issues affecting the number of observable sinuses, the non-homogenous age distribution of the sample, and the impact of inclusion and methodological criteria on the comparability of results. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Further investigations into odontogenic sinusitis and the microscopic examination of dental calculus may provide new data on the pathogenesis of sinusitis.

A possible case of juvenile idiopathic arthritis from Renaissance Lucca (Tuscany, central Italy).

OBJECTIVE: The skeletal remains of a young individual (Guinigi US 1278) are described and a differential diagnosis is performed to determine the potential etiology of bone alterations. MATERIALS: Archaeological excavations conducted at the private funerary chapel of the upper class members of the Guinigi family (14th-17th centuries AD) of Lucca (Tuscany, central Italy) brought to light the fragmented human skeletal remains of a young individual (Guinigi US 1278) with pathological osseous modifications. METHODS: Morphological and radiological analyses were followed by differential diagnosis. RESULTS: Guinigi US 1278 was a non-adult aged 16-20 years, who exhibited florid skeletal alterations in the form of vertebral fusion and extensive subchondral bone changes of the small and large joints of the appendicular skeleton. The severity of the resorptive process in the peripheral joints, as well as vertebral fusion, indicates a long-standing inflammatory process. CONCLUSIONS: The features and the distribution of the skeletal lesions of Guinigi US 1278 are highly consistent with a form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), leading to irreversible phenomena such as subchondral erosive lesions and axial ankylosis, with impairment of the gait and neck movements. SIGNIFICANCE: While abundant clinical literature on JIA is available, paleopathological studies are scarce. The possible case of JIA from Lucca provides a direct opportunity to examine the chronic course of rheumatic disease in young individuals in the absence of appropriate medical therapies in the antiquity. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Future molecular analyses might be able to identify specific alleles of the HLA region responsible for JIA subtypes.

Dental health in adults and subadults from the 16th-century plague cemetery of Alghero (Sardinia, Italy).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine a set of dental health indicators, including caries, periodontal disease, abscesses, ante-mortem tooth loss, calculus, and tooth wear of a 16th-century population from the city of Alghero, Sardinia (Italy), in order to evaluate the state of dental health and the diet. DESIGN: The cemetery is referable to the plague outbreak that ravaged the city in 1582-1583. A total of 160 individuals (81 adults and 79 subadults) were suitable for dental examination. RESULTS: The oral conditions of the urban population of Alghero are characterised by high frequency of carious lesions, periodontal disease, ante mortem tooth loss, and calculus, but a low prevalence of abscesses and moderate tooth wear are recorded. In general, no statistically significant sexual differences are observed, suggesting a uniform scenario for diet access and oral health. The subadult subsample shows moderate rates of caries and is affected by calculus. The results suggest that the diet was rich in soft and refined food, with a prevalence of carbohydrates and cariogenic aliments; the effects of the diet are associated with a lack of oral hygiene. CONCLUSIONS: The patterns of dental health observed in the Alghero population fit with the data observed in other Modern Age samples, reflecting increased prevalence of dentoalveolar diseases resulting from a less abrasive diet and an increase in carbohydrate consumption, as documented during the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern period.

A 13th-century cystic echinococcosis from the cemetery of the monastery of Badia Pozzeveri (Lucca, Italy).

OBJECTIVE: To differentially diagnose a calcified formation recovered from a 13th century AD grave from the Tuscan monastery of Badia Pozzeveri, Lucca, Italy. MATERIALS: A calcified formation from the thoraco-abdominal region of a skeleton buried in the monastery cemetery. METHODS: Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy. RESULTS: A hollow, calcified ovoid formation was identified as typical of a hydatid cyst, permitting the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis in a 35-45year-old female. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals the circulation of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus in the region of Lucca in late medieval Tuscany. SIGNIFICANCE: This finding is the fourth case of cystic echinococcosis from an archaeological context in Italy and provides insight into environmental conditions that appear to have affected members of a community, irrespective of social status. LIMITATIONS: Caution and the application of multiple analyses must be exercised in the differential diagnosis to discriminate among calcified formations. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Analysis of stable isotopes of the calcified formation, such as 15N and 13C, in order to compare them with isotopic values of the host individual and to further confirm the parasitic origin of the find.

A human MMTV-like betaretrovirus linked to breast cancer has been present in humans at least since the copper age.

The betaretrovirus Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) is the well characterized etiological agent of mammary tumors in mice. In contrast, the etiology of sporadic human breast cancer (BC) is unknown, but accumulating data indicate a possible viral origin also for these malignancies. The presence of MMTVenv-like sequences (MMTVels) in the human salivary glands and saliva supports the latter as possible route of inter-human dissemination. In the absence of the demonstration of a mouse-man transmission of MMTV, we considered the possibility that a cross-species transmission could have occurred in ancient times. Therefore, we investigated MMTVels in the ancient dental calculus, which originates from saliva and is an excellent material for paleovirology. The calculus was collected from 36 ancient human skulls, excluding any possible mouse contamination. MMTV-like sequences were identified in the calculus of 6 individuals dated from the Copper Age to the 17th century. The MMTV-like sequences were compared with known human endogenous betaretroviruses and with animal exogenous betaretroviruses, confirming their exogenous origin and relation to MMTV. These data reveal that a human exogenous betaretrovirus similar to MMTV has existed at least since 4,500 years ago and indirectly support the hypothesis that it could play a role in human breast cancer.

The 1918/19 Spanish Flu in Pisa (Tuscany, Italy): Clinical, Epidemiological and Autoptic Considerations

The Spanish flu pandemic spread in 1918-19 and infected about 500 million people, killing 50 to 100 million of them. People were suffering from severe poverty and malnutrition, especially in Europe, due to the First World War, and this contributed to the diffusion of the disease. In Italy, Spanish flu appeared in April 1918 with several cases of pulmonary congestion and bronchopneumonia; at the end of the epidemic, about 450.000 people died, causing one of the highest mortality rates in Europe. From the archive documents and the autoptic registers of the Hospital of Pisa, we can express some considerations on the impact of the pandemic on the population of the city and obtain some information about the deceased. In the original necroscopic registers, 43 autopsies were reported with the diagnosis of grippe (i.e. Spanish flu), of which the most occurred from September to December 1918. Most of the dead were young individuals, more than half were soldiers, and all of them showed confluent hemor agic lung bronchopneumonia, which was the typical feature of the pandemic flu. We believe that the study of the autopsy registers represents an incomparable instrument for the History of Medicine and a useful resource to understand the origin and the evolution of the diseases.

Identification of Italian Renaissance noble women through a bioarchaeological study of skeletal remains.

Three female skeletons, dated back to the beginning of the 15th century were recovered during an archaeological excavation in the Guinigi Chapel in Lucca (Italy). Archaeological and historical sources indicated that the remains might be those of Paolo Guinigi's wives. At the beginning of the 15th century Paolo Guinigi ruled Lucca for nearly 30 years (1400-1429), providing a long period of wealth and peace to the city. In those years of power Paolo Guinigi married four women from different countries. This study is aimed at identifying the three skeletons of Paolo's wives found in the Guinigi Chapel. The three skeletons were identified using a multidisciplinary approach, by integrating historical, archaeological, anthropological, and isotopic data. The anthropological studies evidenced the biological profile of two adult women and of one adolescent female, in agreement with the historical descriptions of three of the four wives of Paolo Guinigi. The isotopic analysis supported the identification of each individual.

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography vs. Multi-Slice Computed Tomography in paleoimaging: where we stand.

Paleopathology and anthropology are fields of research which have benefited from the use of diagnostic imaging since its introduction in the clinical setting. The deriving discipline, that is, paleoimaging, has effectively employed several diagnostic techniques. However, while Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) has found its role in paleoimaging, Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), despite its several advantages with regard to MSCT, is still struggling to find a clear position in this field. The aim of our study is to evaluate the possible advantages CBCT could bring to paleoimaging. We describe the characteristics and role of CBCT in clinical applications, in forensic and legal medicine, and in paleopathology. We report the study of an ancient mandible by means of CBCT and MSCT, in order to compare the quality of the images in terms of spatial resolution. CBCT allows to obtain good quality images of mineralized tissues. Moreover, the possibility of imaging metallic manufacts makes the technique suitable for the study not only of bony remains, but also of museum and archaeological artifacts. Our study highlights the strengths of CBCT as a valid imaging technique for the study of ancient bone remains and manufacts. A revision of the current uses of CBCT is provided and gives insights into the possible role it can cover in bioarchaeological studies. Further evaluation is needed in terms of possible applications of this technique to paleopathology. We strongly encourage the use of CBCT in paleoimaging, and suggest a broader application of the technique to the study of archaeological samples.