Investigation of human remains from the archaeological areas of “Parco archeologico di Ostia antica”: The role of CT imaging

Objective

Archeological excavations in the area of the “Parco archeologico di Ostia antica” uncovered human remains requiring radiological insight to clarify the etiology of multiple morphological alterations. The purpose of this paper was to analyze CT findings of the remains, to push forward the contribution of CT in anthropological analysis.

Materials and methods

We examined human remains belonging to four different individuals, coming from different chronological horizons, ranging from the Roman Imperial Age (cases 1, 2 and 4) to the Middle Age (case 3). Bone remains of each individual underwent CT scan separately using a 268-slice scanner (GE, medical system, revolution CT).

Results

CT findings added value in reaching effective hypotheses on the origin of bone alterations and on biological aspects of the examined individuals. In three out of four cases the radiological hypotheses corresponded to the anthropological ones (cases 1, 3 and 4), with better resolution of the inner alterations of bones which strengthened the initial hypothesis. In one case (case 2), CT imaging proposed an alternative hypothesis (i.e., osteomyelitis versus osteosarcoma).

Conclusion

CT highlights internal alterations in a non-invasive manner, exposing hypotheses that are not evident or that can be underestimated from an external examination. Hence, this imaging modality may be used as a valuable tool to study archaeological remains and to detect a wide variety of pathologies, including trauma, infections, arthropathies and neoplasms, in the context of a multidisciplinary approach to archeological investigations.