title: Investigations on human and animal remains from a medieval shaft well in Ayasuluk/Ephesos (Turkey).
abstract: In course of the archaeological survey of Ayasuluk/Ephesos region (Turkey), a shaft well situated at the area of an extensive medieval bathing complex was excavated. In the stratum corresponding to the reign Mehmed II the well-preserved skeletons of two humans, an equine and a canine were recovered. Anthropological analysis of the human skeletons indentified two males aged 22 (± 3) and 36 (± 5) years. The skeleton of the younger individual showed signs of various antemortal conditions, including a well-healed fraction of right arc of the fifth lumbar vertebra, and a marked asymmetry of the shoulder joints. The older individual exhibited significant peri/postmortem injuries at the elbows, with evident signs of peeling and external burning. Also, the few elements of the cranium recovered showed also indications of burning. Archaeozoological characterization of the complete skeletons of the equine and canine established evidence of well cared-for animals of high value. The time of disposal of this group coincides with uprising of the formerly ruling Aydnoullar clan against the Ottomans in power. The human individuals recovered from the well may have been members of Aydnoullar tribe or men in service of the latter, suffering severe torture and/or mutilation for siding with the rebels after defeat.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kanz
authors.affiliation: Research and Application Centre for Turkey's History Studies, Atlm University, Ankara, Turkey.|Institute for the Study of Ancient Culture, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Şule
authors.initials: Ş
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer-Taş
authors.affiliation: Institute for Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forstenpointner
authors.affiliation: Institute for Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galik
authors.affiliation: Institute for Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weissengruber
authors.affiliation: Center of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grossschmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Daniele U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Risser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D049691:History, Medieval; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014104:Torture / Q000266:history; D014421:Turkey; D014857:Warfare; D060986:Water Wells; D055815:Young Adult