[Brief history of paleopathology in Italy].

Abstract

In the last decades, paleopathologists have developed a growing interest in archaeological, anthropological, and medical disciplines. However, although there have been satisfactory results, which are reflected in numerous publications at the international level and in academic credits that,for example, have led to the establishment of an autonomous Division of Paleopathology (unique in an Italian University) at the Faculty of Medicine in Pisa, the future seems not so bright. Indeed, the lack of general interest that Italian institutions have shown toward research and the reduction of ministerial financial support, will result not only in a lack of a generational turnover among researchers, but also in the suspension or closure of the few paleopathology courses that are now running, and in the layoff of the small but excellent study groups currently working in the field.