From the North and the South: new osteological data about the Terramare culture from the study of cremated remains under a multi-analytical approach

The Terramare culture spread in the Po Plain (Northern-central Italy) between the 17th and 12th century BCE. Differences in burial practices have been observed between the Northern and Southern communities of this culture. Cremation is the only ritual documented in the South, while it is coupled with inhumation in the North. This study provides new osteological and funerary data about cremations from the Middle-Late Bronze Age necropolises of Vicofertile (Parma- Southern Po plain) and Nogarole Rocca (Verona – Northern Po plain) using a multi-analytical approach. 17 burials were analysed (12 from Vicofertile and 5 from Nogarole Rocca). We performed CT (Computerised Tomography) analysis of ten non-excavated urns from Vicofertile and one from Nogarole Rocca. After the extraction of the remains from all 17 urns, we reconstructed the individuals’ biological profiles, analysed the heat-induced changes to the bones, and compared the results of the virtual analysis and excavation. We also selected some samples for Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry to investigate taxonomy, and amelogenin analysis for sex estimation. The qualitative and quantitative virtual investigation of the distribution of the remains inside the vessels provided information about the funerary practices. Non-adult and adult remains were also identified. The results of the virtual approach were mostly confirmed by the physical investigation of the burials. The exceptions regarded taphonomy (e.g. the presence of concretions that were not identified in the scans), additional data about the Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI), and individuals’ sex and age at death. The scans proved to be an essential tool to guide and speed up the excavation process and help preserve the integrity of the bones and vessels, as well as aiding sample selection to maximise the likelihood of successful proteomic analyses. Finally, ZooMS analysis allowed for the identification of two nonhuman remains, one of which was burned.