The human skeletal remains from the upper palaeolithic burials found in Romito cave (Papasidero, Cosenza, Italy)

Abstract

Summary. — The six skeletons (Rom 1-6) coming from Upper Palaeolithic burials were discovered at the Grotta del Romito near Papasidero (Cosenza, Italy). Two single burials were discovered in the cave (Rom 3, Rom 4), two double burials under the rock shelter (Rom 1 and 2, Rom 5 and 6). The skeletons are generally well preserved, and belonged to adult or nearly adult individuals, three females (Rom 1, 4 and 5), two males (Rom 3 and 6) and one probable female (Rom 2). Their distinctive characteristics recall those of other Italian Upper Palaeolithic individuals. Like thes ones they are definable as cromagnonoids. The individuals from the cave are bigger and more robust than those of the rock shelter, even if a remarkable homogeneity of morphologies is observed among all of them. Some features regarding the facial skeleton seem to suggest an adaptation to a heavy and extra-alimentary use of dentition. Regarding the stature, the individuals from the cave are normal (compared to contemporary Palaeolithic individuals) while the specimens from the rock shelter are among the shortest. A high level of endogamy, at least among the population represented by the individuals from the shelter, is supposed. Rom 2 was affected by a serious genetic disease which caused a form of dwarfism acromesomeha.

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