Reconstructing the life of a Roman soldier buried in Resnik near Split, based on the anthropological analysis of his skeleton

Šlaus, Mario and Domić Kunić, Alka and Pivac, Tara and Adamić Hadžić, Anita (2018) Reconstructing the life of a Roman soldier buried in Resnik near Split, based on the anthropological analysis of his skeleton. Collegium Antropologicum, 42 (4). pp. 287-294. ISSN 0350-6134

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Abstract

Continuous heavy physical labor and the habitual performance of specific actions during everyday activities affects bone and modifies its morphology, particularly if these activities were time consuming and began at an early age. Analysis and interpretation of these changes provides a unique view into the quality of life, the quantity and type of labor, as well as the risks associated with specific occupations or activities. Here we present the results of an anthropological analysis of a skeleton excavated from the antique necropolis in Resnik. Recovered archaeological finds from the grave (a socketed spear head) suggest that the buried individual was in some way related to the Roman army, possibly as a legionary or as a beneficiary. Osteological data from the skeleton was compared to a theoretical and idealized representation of a perfect Roman soldier, as reported by Vegetius Renatus in his work "Summary of military skill" (Epitome rei militaris), in order to reconstruct the life of a real Roman legionary who served in the Roman province of Dalmatia at the end of the 2nd c. AD. The skeleton provides information on general living conditions in the 2nd c. AD, as well as on the specific risks associated with military life. General living conditions include parasitic infestations and subsequent anemia that resulted in numerous viral and bacterial infections, while specific risks related to military life include numerous osteological indicators of physical stress and heavy physical labor. The presences of two remodeled antemortem fractures show that the risk of traumatic injuries was high in Roman soldiers.

Abstract in Croatian

Neprekidan teški fizički rad i repetitivno izvođenje specifičnih aktivnosti tijekom svakodnevnog rada utječe na kosti i mijenja njihovu morfologiju, naročito ako su te aktivnosti dugotrajne i ako su započele u ranoj dobi. Analiza i tumačenje tih promjena daje jedinstvenu prigodu da rekonstruiramo kvalitetu života, količinu i vrstu rada, kao i rizike koji se vezuju uz određena zanimanja ili aktivnosti. Ovdje su predstavljeni rezultati antropološke analize kostura otkopanog na antičkoj nekropoli u Resniku. Otkriveni arheološki nalazi iz groba utorena glava koplja) sugeriraju da je pokopan muškarac na neki način bio povezan s rimskom vojskom, vjerojatno kao legionar ili beneficijarij. Osteološki podaci dobiveni analizom kostura uspoređeni su s teoretskim i idealiziranim prikazom savršenog rimskog vojnika, prema izvještaju Vegecija Renata u radu "Sažetak vojne vještine" (Epitome rei militaris), kako bi se rekonstruirao život stvarnog rimskog vojnika koji je krajem 2. st. služio u rimskoj provinciji Dalmaciji. Analiza kostura dala je informacije o općim uvjetima života u 2. st. n.e., kao i o specifičnim rizicima povezanima s vojnim životom. Opći uvjeti života uključuju parazitske zaraze i posljedičnu anemiju koja je rezultirala brojnim virusnim i bakterijskim infekcijama, dok specifični rizici vezani uz vojni život uključuju brojne osteološke pokazatelje fizičkog stresa i teškog fizičkog rada. Prisutnost dvije remodelirane antemortalne frakture pokazuju kako je rizik od traumatskih ozljeda kod rimskih vojnika bio visok.

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