title: A foetal tile from an archaeological site: anthropological investigation of human remains recovered in a medieval cemetery in Northern Italy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recovery of foetal remains is very sporadic in archaeology, especially due the scarce degree of bone mineralisation. This paper presents the singular archaeological discovery of a foetal tile preserving the bone remains, object of our anthropological examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  The foetal tile was discovered during an archaeological excavation in a medieval site (Northern Italy). The tile was analysed by CT scan and later, human remains were anthropologically examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The archaeological investigation revealed a special ritual destined to foetuses while forensic anthropological analysis allowed estimating the gestational age near to 21-24 weeks.
authors.affiliation: a Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences , University of Insubria , Varese , Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health , University of Brescia, Brescia , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.affiliation: a Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences , University of Insubria , Varese , Italy.
authors.forename: Adelaide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosi
authors.affiliation: a Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences , University of Insubria , Varese , Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Badino
mesh_terms: D001106:Archaeology; D000071298:Body Remains; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy
keywords: Foetal osteological remains; Middle Ages; foetal burial; medieval cemetery; osteoarchaeology