Markers of occupational stress and bones morphology in Roman necropolis of Monte Carru (Alghero - Italy).

Introduction The hill of Monte Carru (Alghero) has brought to light an imperial Roman necropolis (400 B.C.), attributed to the lost settlement of Carbia. The 55 individuals analyzed are 47% males and 36% females, with an age of death between 19-35 years. Recent publications have shown enthesopathy as a muscoscheletal indicator of occupational stress (Mariotti) and thickness of the cortical bone as an indicator of morphological changes of the bone (Ninimakii). The aim of this study is to highlight the correlation between them. Methods The necropolis was analyzed from the point of view of enthesopathies on the basis of Mariotti's degrees. The cortical thicknesses were measured in the medial, lateral, anterior and posterior position. The results were compared to determine correspondences. Results and conclusion The study of enthesopathies revealed a different development: in males the strongest muscles are all linked to walking for long stretches in steep terrain, while in women are probably related to activities that required to stay long squat and stand up. The cortical diameters of femur and tibia show greater variability between sexes in superior and middle diaphysal position. The morphological analysis of the general dimensions of the bone shows that the difference in enthesopathies do not vary the size of the bone marrow cavity, therefore the internal morphology of the bone does not suggest to be affected by single enthesopathy. In contrast, the cortical thickness seems influenced by enthesopathies, mostly in the tibia. Further microscopic investigations are expected in the future.