The funerary ritual of the elite of the castillo de la Estrella (Teba, Málaga)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17561/aytm.v33.9735Keywords:
Physical Anthropology, Funerary Archaeology, Syphilis, Achondroplasia, Iglesia de la Santa Cruz, Teba, castillo de la EstrellaAbstract
The archaeological intervention carried out in 2023 at the iglesia de la Santa Cruz, within the framework of the General Research Project “El castillo de la Estrella in Teba (Málaga)”, has documented several funerary contexts associated with the final phases of occupation of the site prior to its abandonment in the 17th century. Preliminary analysis of the human remains exhumed in the chancel area characterises a population sample composed mainly of elderly individuals. One of the most noteworthy findings is the identification of indicators compatible with syphilitic lesions, suggesting the possible occurrence of an infectious outbreak not previously documented in this context. Additionally, the discovery of the skeletal remains of an individual with achondroplasia constitutes an exceptional case within Early Modern Iberian contexts. Although still preliminary, these results provide relevant insights into the social, health-related and ritual dynamics of the last groups associated with the castle.
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