title: Tuberculosis and leprosy in Italy: new skeletal evidence.
abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy are infections caused by Mycobacteria. This paper documents new skeletal evidence in Italy from the Iron Age site of Corvaro (Central Italy; 5th century BCE) and the Roman site of Palombara (Central Italy; 4th-5th century CE), and briefly reviews the extant evidence for these infections in Italy. The skeletal evidence for TB in Italy is more ancient than for leprosy, and is more common. The oldest evidence for both mycobacterial diseases is in the North of Italy, but this could be by chance, even if biomolecular models suggest a land route from the East to central Europe, especially for leprosy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Archaeology, Foggia University, Italy; Anthropological Service of S.B.A.L. (Ministry of Culture Italy), v. Pompeo Magno 2, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: antropologiasal@libero.it.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubini
authors.affiliation: Anthropological Service of S.B.A.L. (Ministry of Culture Italy), v. Pompeo Magno 2, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zaio
authors.affiliation: Department of Archaeology, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000635:transmission; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history*; D055815:Young Adult