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Heritage
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Advanced Analysis of Bioarchaeology, Skeletal Biology and Evolution
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Advanced Analysis of Bioarchaeology, Skeletal Biology and Evolution

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408). This special issue belongs to the section "Biological and Natural Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 10424

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Lucie Biehler-Gomez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Interests: biological anthropology; bioarchaeology; paleopathology; forensic anthropology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biological anthropology is the scientific study of human skeletal remains, providing crucial insights into past populations and their health, lifestyles, and evolutionary changes. Advances in skeletal biology have transformed our ability to reconstruct past human experiences and address contemporary challenges, including forensic identification and modern health concerns.

This Special Issue explores cutting-edge research in bioarchaeology, skeletal biology, and human evolution. Bioarchaeological studies reveal how past societies adapted to their environments and experienced disease and how their biological diversity was shaped. Developments in skeletal biology, including—but not limited to—histological, isotopic, and biomechanical analyses, refine our understanding of growth, aging, trauma, and pathological conditions, bridging the past and present. Furthermore, evolutionary perspectives allow us to trace long-term changes in human morphology, adaptation, and genetic diversity, shedding light on the forces that have shaped our species over millennia.

By integrating these perspectives, this Special Issue welcomes contributions that employ innovative methodologies, interdisciplinary approaches, and new theoretical frameworks to advance our understanding of human biology, diversity, health, and evolution. Topics may include paleopathology, population mobility, diet and health, environmental adaptations, skeletal biology, genetics, forensic case studies, paleoanthropology, and evolutionary patterns in human skeletal variation.

Dr. Lucie Biehler-Gomez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bioarchaeology
  • biological anthropology
  • skeletal biology
  • evolution
  • human biology

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4600 KB  
Article
Identifying Pre-Existing Ballistic Trauma in Burnt Bone
by Laura Hallett, Irina Ellenberg, Katya Essam, Richard Critchley, Kate Hewins and Nicholas Márquez-Grant
Heritage 2025, 8(12), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8120527 - 12 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1665
Abstract
Distinguishing peri-mortem trauma from heat-induced trauma is often a challenging aspect of forensic anthropology casework where fire has been used as a means of concealing evidence. This paper aims to explore the extent to which peri-mortem ballistic trauma characteristics are still present after [...] Read more.
Distinguishing peri-mortem trauma from heat-induced trauma is often a challenging aspect of forensic anthropology casework where fire has been used as a means of concealing evidence. This paper aims to explore the extent to which peri-mortem ballistic trauma characteristics are still present after burning and whether they can be distinguished from heat-induced fractures. This research used Sus domesticus femora and ribs that had been manually defleshed and shot with 7.92 × 57 mm Mauser ammunition at a shooting distance of 3 m, 10 m and 20 m. This type of firearm and ammunition were commonly used in a number of conflicts, such as the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). The fracture patterns as a result of the ballistic trauma were analysed prior to placing the samples in an electric furnace, where they were heated at a peak temperature of 850 °C for 30 min. Post-burning, each fragment was analysed for ballistic and heat-induced trauma. Following reconstruction, entry and exit wound morphology and radiating fractures remained, with entry wounds being more clearly defined than exit wounds. Ballistic trauma characteristics such as bevelling were still apparent after burning. The results of this study reveal that pre-existing ballistic trauma is still identifiable after bones have been exposed to heat and it is possible to reconstruct the bones to gain a better interpretation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Analysis of Bioarchaeology, Skeletal Biology and Evolution)
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17 pages, 5193 KB  
Article
A Case of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip with Dislocation from Ancient Rome
by Flavio De Angelis, Laura Filograna, Andrea Battistini, Flavia Chirico, Silvia Iorio, Alessandro Carini, Michele Papa, Valentina Gazzaniga, Cristina D’Agostini, Guglielmo Manenti and Francesco Garaci
Heritage 2025, 8(11), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8110489 - 19 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1012
Abstract
This study focuses on an individual from the southeastern area of the Roman Suburbium in Late Antiquity (3rd–5th centuries CE), whose skeleton was found in a multiple burial alongside five others. Osteological and CT imaging analyses revealed a significant developmental defect in the [...] Read more.
This study focuses on an individual from the southeastern area of the Roman Suburbium in Late Antiquity (3rd–5th centuries CE), whose skeleton was found in a multiple burial alongside five others. Osteological and CT imaging analyses revealed a significant developmental defect in the left hip, characterized by a shallow, flattened acetabulum and a hypoplastic or aplastic femoral head, with no evidence of infection or postmortem alteration. This rare condition provides a compelling case study demonstrating the effectiveness of an integrated diagnostic approach combining traditional osteology with advanced imaging techniques. Despite prior research into orthopedic pathologies in Roman Imperial and Late Antique populations, no comparable cases have been documented, highlighting a notable gap in the bioarchaeological literature regarding congenital skeletal defects. This case contributes to a broader understanding of disability in ancient communities and raises important questions about social recognition and support for individuals with physical impairments in the past. However, limitations exist due to the absence of certain skeletal elements, which restricts a full assessment of compensatory biomechanical adaptations, such as load redistribution through the trunk or upper limbs. Nevertheless, the findings underscore the growing importance of refining diagnostic standards to better identify and interpret evidence of disability in historical populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Analysis of Bioarchaeology, Skeletal Biology and Evolution)
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16 pages, 392 KB  
Article
Investigating the Etiology and Demographic Distribution of Enamel Hypoplasia
by Claudia Moro, Lucie Biehler-Gomez, Giuseppe Lanza Attisano, Daniele Maria Gibelli, Federica Boschi, Danilo De Angelis and Cristina Cattaneo
Heritage 2025, 8(10), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8100420 - 3 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3135
Abstract
Enamel hypoplasia (EH) is a stress marker commonly used in bioarcheological research to investigate health during growth. However, its analysis in contemporary samples allows for additional avenues of research, including comparison with medical records. The aim of the present research is to explore [...] Read more.
Enamel hypoplasia (EH) is a stress marker commonly used in bioarcheological research to investigate health during growth. However, its analysis in contemporary samples allows for additional avenues of research, including comparison with medical records. The aim of the present research is to explore the influence of biological sex and socioeconomic status on the distribution of EH and examine the factors that contribute to the development of this defect. In this perspective, analysis of dentition was conducted on 132 individuals, with known information about age, biological sex, nationality, medical records, and socioeconomic status. Statistical analysis was conducted using Fisher’s test and the chi-square test. As a result, EH was observed more frequently among individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, while a significant association was observed with socioeconomic status, evidencing a strong association between EH presence and structural vulnerability (chi-square, p = 0.04). The frequency of EH between sexes was not significant; however, a higher frequency was observed among males (chi-square, p = 0.94). We hypothesize that the impact of female biological buffering might be reduced in the European sample, as this result aligns with background information of the context. These results align with the research hypotheses and reinforce the multifactorial etiology of EH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Analysis of Bioarchaeology, Skeletal Biology and Evolution)
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15 pages, 6544 KB  
Article
Entomological Evidence Reveals Burial Practices of Three Mummified Bodies Preserved in Northeast Italy
by Giuseppina Carta, Omar Larentis, Enrica Tonina, Ilaria Gorini and Stefano Vanin
Heritage 2025, 8(10), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8100406 - 28 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2023
Abstract
Funerary archaeoentomology is the discipline that studies insects and other arthropods in archaeological contexts, with a particular focus on the funerary domain. The presence of specific species, such as necrophagous beetles or saprophagous flies, can provide crucial evidence regarding post-mortem conditions—whether bodies were [...] Read more.
Funerary archaeoentomology is the discipline that studies insects and other arthropods in archaeological contexts, with a particular focus on the funerary domain. The presence of specific species, such as necrophagous beetles or saprophagous flies, can provide crucial evidence regarding post-mortem conditions—whether bodies were left exposed to the air or buried suddenly after death—and whether they underwent particular preservation practices, such as desiccation or embalming. This study concentrates on entomological specimens collected from three mummified bodies at the Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona in the province of Verona (northeast Italy), aiming to reconstruct aspects of funerary practices, especially the season of death and the authenticity of the garments worn by the mummified individuals. Insects were manually collected from bodies belonging to three hermits living between the 17th and 19th centuries. A complex entomofauna consisting of Diptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and minor taxa was collected and analyzed. Diptera puparia, primarily from the families Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Fanniidae, were the most abundant entomological elements recovered. Their presence suggests potential exposure of the bodies before burial and indicates that death likely occurred during a mild period of the year (end of spring/beginning of autumn). The co-occurrence of holes caused by maggots on the hermits’ skin and their garments allows us to speculate about the authenticity of the clothing used during the funerary rituals. By combining entomological evidence with textile analysis, this research offers a more precise understanding of historical funerary practices within this devotional context. It sheds light on methods of managing human remains, burial traditions, and preservation techniques, particularly regarding the clothing of the deceased. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Analysis of Bioarchaeology, Skeletal Biology and Evolution)
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18 pages, 7355 KB  
Article
Zooarchaeology of the Pre-Bell Beaker Chalcolithic Period of Barrio del Castillo (Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain)
by Verónica Estaca-Gómez, Mónica Major-González, Jorge Cañas-Martínez and José Yravedra
Heritage 2025, 8(5), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8050181 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 1778
Abstract
This article presents the first results of the zooarchaeological analysis of Chalcolithic levels of the Barrio del Castillo site (Torrejón de Ardoz), located within the Aldovea complex, which also contains evidence from other prehistoric periods. The Barrio del Castillo sector reveals an occupation [...] Read more.
This article presents the first results of the zooarchaeological analysis of Chalcolithic levels of the Barrio del Castillo site (Torrejón de Ardoz), located within the Aldovea complex, which also contains evidence from other prehistoric periods. The Barrio del Castillo sector reveals an occupation pattern characterized by pit and silo fields, a common phenomenon in the Tagus Middle Valley’s Prehistory. This study focuses on the Chalcolithic phase, which exhibits two types of faunal accumulations: one linked to domestic activities (referred to as domestic assemblages), and another with a more symbolic character, involving the burial of articulated or semi-articulated animals, mainly dogs, designated as ritual deposits. The first type of accumulation is dominated by domestic species like caprines (sheep and goats) and cattle. Other domestic species, like pigs and dogs, alongside wild species, like horses and deer, appear in smaller quantities. On the other hand, ritual deposits are largely dominated by dogs in the Chalcolithic phase. This paper emphasizes the marked contrast between the two types of accumulations, domestic and ritual, and highlights the implications that these might have toward a better understanding of the world of the first metallurgical communities of the inner Iberian Peninsula. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Analysis of Bioarchaeology, Skeletal Biology and Evolution)
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