Project Goals
Deepening our knowledge of the medical care and treatises offered to individuals affected by chronic pathologies in ancient times by analysing residues in dental calculus of archaeological individuals affected by chronical pathologies. Ancient Roman curative remedies will be explored by focusing on human remains unearthed at the necropolis of Isola Sacra and Velia (1st-3rd century AD), the catacomb of Santa Mustiola (4th-6th century AD), the catacomb of Santa Sofia di Canosa (4th-6th century AD), and some burials from the necropolises of Amiternum (4th-6th century AD).
These individuals represent unique case studies to reveal medicinal remedies used for their treatment and ease the pain connected with their specific illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, tumors, and osteomyelitis.
Setting standards to validate the presence of organic substances of natural and/or synthetic origin related to the consumption of drugs, stimulants or therapeutic remedies by analysing modern sample of dental calculus. The metabolites of many drugs and substances used in ancient Roman treatments (e.g. cannabinoids and opioids) are commonly used in legal stimulating alkaloids, pharmaceutical drugs, legal psychoactive drugs. Recently, the potential of dental calculus for identifying drug consumption and heavy (toxic) metals contamination have been tested against matrices regularly used in clinical and forensic investigations such as hair and blood. This successful application to modern dental calculus paves the way for a much-needed collaboration between humanities and life science.
Advancing the methodology for controlling post-depositional contamination processes that could affect the composition of ancient dental calculus by analysing contemporary samples and experimental results. Metals and minerals were often used to prepare medicinal remedies, but post-mortem alterations can also be responsible for the inclusion of these elements in dental calculus. The project will explore the potential of dental calculus to absorb metals and minerals in modern individuals and through experimental trials with evident impact for archaeological and clinical and forensic sciences.
