Abstract
In this project, history intersects with archaeology, biological anthropology, and medicine to recount the lives of rural communities residing on the Hyblaean plateau (Sicily) from around 300 to 800 CE (fig. 1 a-b). The proposal aims to investigate this unique society from various angles, including its socioeconomic structure, settlements, housing, lifestyles, literacy, ethnic composition, genetic ancestry, diet, and health conditions through interdisciplinary research. The work entails three distinct yet closely interconnected areas of investigation. 1.(Settlement) The first area involves examining the human and environmental landscape of the Hyblaean plateau through surveys aimed at categorizing different types of settlements and their relationships. This process begins with a series of ‘central places’ that define the settlement hierarchy and their functions. 2. (Lifestyle) The second area focuses on burial customs, material culture, literacy, religious beliefs, and the relationship between the living and burial spaces. As case studie, it considers the necropolis of Chiaramonte Gulfi (currently under investigation by a team of the University of Bologna and the Soprintendenza BBAA of Ragusa) and other sites in the Ragusano region. 3. (Growth). The third area involves bioanthropological, palaeopathological and genomic analyses, from a significant sample of skeletal remains from the Chiaramonte necropolis, Cisternazzi and San Pancrati to explore modern genetic variability and the history of genes related to nutrition and bone health. The objective is to determine if a correlation exists between the environment and genetics by comparing ancient DNA with modern DNA extracted from the current populations of Chiaramonte, Giarratana, and Monterosso Almo. This project brings the gap between multiple disciplines and pioneers a novel methodology for addressing the historical settlement of the Hyblaean territory. It also introduces an innovative and dynamic approach to understanding the connection between the past and the present.
Dettagli del progetto
Responsabile scientifico: Salvatore Cosentino
Strutture Unibo coinvolte:
Dipartimento di Beni Culturali
Coordinatore:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Contributo totale di progetto: Euro (EUR) 1.872.521,64
Durata del progetto in mesi: 36
Data di inizio
01/03/2026
Data di fine:
28/02/2029
