Bioarcheology Service

The Bioarcheology Service of the Museum of Civilizations carries out the scientific documentation, study and protection of human and faunal remains from archaeological and paleontological contexts. It promotes the development of new methods of investigation in paleobiology through the use of advanced digital technologies, and supports the research, protection and uses of archaeological, historical-artistic and ethnographic objects of an organic nature.
Active since 1983, the Service operates as an interdisciplinary research center in close synergy with other museum sectors and through agreements and collaborations with superintendencies, universities, museums and other Italian and foreign research organizations; welcomes students for curricular internship activities and thesis projects; participates in excavation campaigns at home and abroad; participates in educational activities for schools, training for teachers, exhibition preparation, production of teaching/dissemination materials; organizes conferences and educational workshops.

The Service carries out the following technical and scientific service and research activities:

• Recovery and protection of human and faunal osteological materials from prehistoric, protohistoric and historical periods;
• Analysis, documentation, restoration, conservation, cataloging, scientific study of human and animal osteological collections;
• Support for the museum display of individual osteological objects and collections;
• Promotion and implementation of scientific study projects, including in cooperation with other Italian and international research institutions;
• Public education and other communications activities on topics related to bio-archaeology, promoting a culture of science;
• Support for formal education and for applied research in doctoral and other degrees, in collaboration with Italian and international universities;
• Promotion of a scientific culture among scholars and institutions, through exchanges and support for the organization of symposia and conferences;
• Development of experimental areas of research and scientific analysis in human and animal paleobiology (e.g. histomorphometry, odontology; digital imaging, chemical-physical, tomographic, radiographic, taphonomic and biomolecular analyses).

The service operates mainly in the areas of archeozoology, human evolution, funerary archeology, human and animal morphology and morphometry, paleontology, development of advanced methodologies, taphonomy, paleodontology, paleogenetics, paleonutrition, paleodemography, paleopathology, and paleoepidemiology. The investigations involve both artifacts and collections of the Museum of Civilizations and other materials entrusted for study by superintendencies with territorial jurisdiction, universities and other research bodies.

The service operates in a space of more than 800 square meters including laboratories and storage facilities.

Personnel:
Alessandra Sperduti, Anthropologist, Coordinator of the Bioarcheology Service, responsible for human osteological collections
+39 06 54952257

Francesca Alhaique, Anthropologist, faunal osteological collections
+39 06 54952236

Francesca Candilio, Anthropologist, human osteological collections
+39 06 54952257

Michela Grimaldi, Paleontologist, faunal osteological collections.
+39 06 54952236