Discovering the catacombs of Sicily First analysis of the skeletal remains from the Late Antique hypogeum of Scorrione

Abstract

Scorrione-West, dated to 4th – 6th centuries AD, represents a unique site, both archaeo- logically and methodologically. Archaeological material suggests intermingling of various cultural groups. The presented report aims to add more data regarding the human aspect at Scorrione. It provides initial findings and results of anthro- pological analysis of the human remains excavated at the site during the season 2020 – 2021. Minimum number of excavated individuals was 16. In graves from the inner cave, young and prime-age adults, both males and females, were buried, all younger than 40 years of age. All but one grave contained the remains of more than one individual, even though flooding may have played a role. In Grave 40, five individuals with no apparent relation with each other were buried, probably not at the same time. The results of macroscopical osteological analysis appear to be consistent with archaeo- logical data suggesting mostly hard-working individuals and the presence of multiple cultural groups, even though the 16 individuals do not necessarily represent the whole community.