[RECONSTRUCTING THE LIFE OF AN UNKNOWN MAN--INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH].

Abstract

The remains of a tomb were discovered below the foundations of the Roman church of “Majka Bozja Gorska” in Lobor in 2002. It was a vaulted tomb carved from a single stone. The narthex of ancient Christian and pre-roman churches often served as the resting place of religious, secular and noble dignitaries, who were credited for founding the church at the time. By anthropological methods, the age, gender, height, pathological changes, tendon and ligament hinges and degree of development were able to be analysed. The stable isotopes of Carbon-13, Nitrogen-15 and Oxygen-18 were analysed and expressed as ��-values according to the PDB standard. Dental analysis showed a build-up of tartar on the buccal side, with 5 teeth missing from the dentition post-mortem and a partial lowering and accretion of the alveolar walls of the 2nd molar space secondary to tooth loss. The remains of the person from grave 107 show that the person was approximately 30-35 years of age, confirmed by microscopical analysis of the bone samples. Almost all of the cranial sutures were exposed with the exception of the saggital suture which was closed at the S3 position, while the transverse palatal suture was in the initial stages of closure on the lateral sides. Analysis of the iliac bone showed visible changes on the bone. The surface had retained its youthful appearance however with a microporous and pronounced granular structure and only a slight apical and marginal activity. The transverse striations are still apparent, but no longer along the entirety of the bone surface. Anthropometric analysis according to cranial cavity indexes, showed a cranium or relatively large volume (aristencephalic in type), long, narrow and medium in height. The index values were used in facial reconstruction. Analysis of the development of tendon and ligament hinges of the preserved anatomical elements, gave further information about the morphology and physical activity of the person. The hinge sites of the brachial and antebrachial muscles showed a significant development and these enthesopathies would be consistent with a strenuous physical activity, especially at the biceps tendon and shoulder girdle, portraying an anterior elevation, cubital flexion, pronation, circumduction and fixation. It can be said that the person predominantly used the left arm. The developed muscle hinges, show common pronatory and supinatory movements and presume a routine swinging motion of an object above the head or in front of the person. The left tibia was suggestive of the height and male gender of the person. According to Pearson’s regression formula, for the length of the brachium, radius and tibia, it can be reasoned that the person was approximately 169 cm tall. The upper third of the L3 vertebra shows a Schmorl’s hernia which can be secondary to strong anteroposterior and lateral flexion of the spine. On the supero-lateral surface of the left patella, there is a Messeri sign, suggestive of a long and repeated flexion of the knee (kneeling). The molars of the lower and especially upper jaw show signs of paradontosis and a slight abrasion of the first degree according to Gustafson. The secondary dentin can be seen on the incisors, canines and molars. The bone impression of the left temporal bone, was oval in shape and measured 12x9 mm. It was probably and old, healed wound, possibly consequential to a fall or strike from a sharp object. The left tibia, showed a treated but still active periostitis. Analysis of the stable isotopes (C, N, O) shows an increased consumption of vegetables, common to a moderately warm and dry climate (millet). The person had access to water of a good quality, possibly from a well and did not eat fish or drink wine. We do not know whether the person from grave 107 was a member of the clergy or nobility, but was most likely a member of the social elite.