Unearthing Sicily’s past.: a historical and methodological review of bioarchaeological research in Sicily

Sicily's strategic position in the Mediterranean has long rendered it a crucial crossroads for cultural exchange, colonisation, and demographic transformation. Despite the island's rich archaeological record, bioarchaeology has frequently occupied a secondary role in archaeological research. As a result, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of the individuals who inhabited Sicily throughout both prehistoric and historical periods. Addressing this gap is essential, as bioarchaeological analysis provides critical insights into the health, diet, mobility, and lived experiences of past populations—enriching and humanising our interpretations of the island’s complex past. This presentation will explore the development of bioarchaeological and physical anthropological research in Sicily, from 19th-century craniometric studies focused on racial typologies to the mid-20th century decline in skeletal analysis due to methodological limitations. In the 21st century, advances in excavation, palaeopathology, and biomolecular analysis have renewed bioarchaeological research, providing a more nuanced understanding of Sicily’s demographic history. Key studies from both earlier and recent periods will be discussed, illustrating the shift from typological approaches to more integrative and technologically sophisticated methods. In particular, this presentation will highlight recent investigations of human remains from Sant'Agata (Piana degli Albanesi), demonstrating how bioarchaeology can shed light on patterns of migration, health, and population structure from antiquity through to the medieval period. Ultimately, this research emphasises bioarchaeology’s crucial role in future Sicilian archaeological investigations, contributing to our understanding of burial practices, dietary habits, migration, health, and social structures within the broader context of the island’s historical transformation.