This study challenges historical paradigms using a large‐scale integrated bioarchaeological approach, focusing on the female experience over the last 2,000 years in Milan, Italy. Specifically, 492 skeletons from the osteological collection of Milan were used to elucidate female survivorship and mortality by integrating bioarchaeological and paleopathological data, paleoepidemiological analyses, and historical contextualization. Findings revealed changes in female longevity, with a notable increase from Roman to contemporary eras, albeit plateauing in the Middle Ages/modern period. Significant sex‐specific differences in mortality risk and survivorship were observed: females had higher mortality risk and lower survivorship in the Roman (first‐fifth century AD) and Modern (16th‐18th century AD) eras, but this trend reversed in the contemporary period (19th‐20th century AD). Cultural and social factors negatively impacted female mortality in Roman and modern Milan, while others buffered it during the Middle Ages (sixth‐15th century AD). This study underscored the importance of bioarchaeological inquiries in reconstructing the past, providing answers that may challenge historical assumptions and shedding light on how the interplay of cultural, social, and biological factors shaped the female experience across millennia.

Unveiling the female experience through adult mortality and survivorship in Milan over the last 2000 years / L. Biehler‐gomez, S. Yaussy, C. Moro, P. Morandini, M. Mondellini, D. Petrosino, M. Mattia, B.G.M. DEL BO, C. Cattaneo. - In: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. - ISSN 2045-2322. - 14:1(2024), pp. 21328.1-21328.10. [10.1038/s41598-024-71607-9]

Unveiling the female experience through adult mortality and survivorship in Milan over the last 2000 years

L. Biehler‐gomez
Primo
;
M. Mondellini;D. Petrosino
;
M. Mattia;B.G.M. DEL BO
Penultimo
;
C. Cattaneo
Ultimo
2024

Abstract

This study challenges historical paradigms using a large‐scale integrated bioarchaeological approach, focusing on the female experience over the last 2,000 years in Milan, Italy. Specifically, 492 skeletons from the osteological collection of Milan were used to elucidate female survivorship and mortality by integrating bioarchaeological and paleopathological data, paleoepidemiological analyses, and historical contextualization. Findings revealed changes in female longevity, with a notable increase from Roman to contemporary eras, albeit plateauing in the Middle Ages/modern period. Significant sex‐specific differences in mortality risk and survivorship were observed: females had higher mortality risk and lower survivorship in the Roman (first‐fifth century AD) and Modern (16th‐18th century AD) eras, but this trend reversed in the contemporary period (19th‐20th century AD). Cultural and social factors negatively impacted female mortality in Roman and modern Milan, while others buffered it during the Middle Ages (sixth‐15th century AD). This study underscored the importance of bioarchaeological inquiries in reconstructing the past, providing answers that may challenge historical assumptions and shedding light on how the interplay of cultural, social, and biological factors shaped the female experience across millennia.
Settore MEDS-02/C - Storia della medicina
Settore BIOS-03/B - Antropologia
Settore HIST-01/A - Storia medievale
   Fighting Against Injustice Through Humanities (FAITH)
   FAITH
   UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
2024
12-set-2024
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1097253
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