Estudio bioantropológico y bioestadístico comparativo de las necrópolis de dos yacimientos tardorromanosLa ciudad del Cerro de La Almagra y La Villa de Los Villaricos (Mula, Murcia)

Resumen

Biostatistics and anthropology play a key role in the interpretation and analysis of archaeological remains, especially in the study of Late Roman sites like those found in Mula, Murcia, Spain. These two fields complement archaeological research by helping interpret data about ancient populations, their living habits, health, and socioeconomic environment, providing a more detailed picture of the living conditions of the time. Importance of Biostatistics Biostatistics is essential in analyzing the data obtained from archaeological remains, allowing for precise quantification of the biological and physical variables found at the sites. In the context of the Late Roman sites in Mula, biostatistics facilitates the analysis of bone data, such as pathologies, causes of death, life expectancy, and differences between sexes and ages. This is achieved by applying statistical tools that allow for conclusions to be drawn from human remains. For example, biostatistics can help determine the frequency of diseases, fractures, or malnutrition in the studied population. It also allows for the comparison of data from the Mula sites with other Roman or medieval sites, helping to place the Mula population within a broader historical and geographical context. Statistical models can generate hypotheses about population mobility, migrations, and the impact of economic and political conditions on the health of the inhabitants. Additionally, biostatistics is crucial for analyzing large datasets, such as the number of individuals found at the sites, the proportion of adults versus children, or the distribution of diseases and traumas. This enables a more accurate assessment of the general health of the population and the possible causes of mass death or epidemics that may have affected the community. Importance of Anthropology On the other hand, physical anthropology, particularly forensic anthropology, provides the necessary tools for analyzing human skeletal remains. In the Late Roman sites of Mula, the study of the skeletons allows anthropologists to reconstruct essential aspects of the lives of the people who inhabited this region. Bone analysis can reveal the sex, age at death, height, and pathologies, offering a glimpse into the health and living conditions of the population. Anthropology also helps identify burial patterns and funerary practices, which can provide valuable information about religious beliefs, social status, and community organization. Details such as differences in how the dead were treated, body orientation, or grave goods can reflect social hierarchy or external cultural influences in the Mula region. In the case of the Mula sites, the combination of anthropology and biostatistics is crucial for understanding the population's composition, the prevalence of diseases, and the impact of environmental or social factors on their well-being. Furthermore, as a Late Roman site, the results obtained can provide better insight into social and economic dynamics during a time of transition toward the Middle Ages, marked by the fall of the Roman Empire and the influence of new peoples and cultures. Importance of the Results Obtained The results obtained from the studies of the Mula sites are of great importance, not only for local archaeology but also for the history of the Iberian Peninsula during the Late Roman period. The collected data can offer insights into public health, living conditions, trade relations, and social organization in the region. Moreover, bioanthropological studies in Mula help place this community in the context of other populations of the Roman world, helping to build a more global picture of the demographic, economic, and cultural changes that occurred during the last centuries of the Roman Empire. Discoveries regarding diseases, patterns of life and death, and social changes can have implications for understanding the evolution of societies on the Iberian Peninsula during this period. In summary, biostatistics and anthropology are key tools in the interpretation of the Late Roman sites of Mula. The results obtained allow for a more precise reconstruction of the lives of this population, contributing to a better understanding of the historical changes that marked the end of the Roman Empire and the transition to the Middle Ages in this region of Spain.