Using cementochronology to assess the seasonality of catastrophic events in medieval mass graves (Kutna Hora-Sedlec, Czechia, 14th century): Preliminary results.

ABSTRACT: While season-of-death estimation using cementochronology is routine in archaeozoology, its use is much less frequent in bioarchaeology. Based on the character of the outermost increment (bright or dark), two seasons (spring/summer, autumn/winter) can be distinguished. Although many studies mention its potential and possible use in forensic anthropology or bioarchaeology, few exist with estimation results. This study aimed to apply cementochronology-a histological method based on counting and assessing regular circa-annual acellular cementum increments-to 42 individuals from medieval mass graves from Kutná Hora-Sedlec (Czechia, 14th century) to estimate the season-of-death. The mass graves belong to two stratigraphically distinct groups; written and archaeological sources relate them to two

SUBMITTER: Zazvonilova E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10718420 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature