Meet the Experts – An introduction to Forensic Anthropology

Exploring Fatal Inter-Individual Conflict and Population Dynamics in the Early Mediaeval Italian Alps

Forensic anthropology provides invaluable insights into the biological features and life histories of individuals from the past. In this session, Daniela Tumler will delve into her research on fatal inter-individual conflict and the broader population dynamics of the early mediaeval Italian Alps. The focus will be on individuals exhibiting skeletal trauma, particularly through the case study of SK63, from the Early Christian church of Säben-Sabiona in South Tyrol, Italy.

The research assesses trauma in 226 individuals, exploring injury frequency and the mechanisms behind bone trauma. Findings reveal a pattern of trauma mostly associated with labour-related accidents, though a significant subset, predominantly males, showed signs of violence likely linked to close combat scenarios. Such discoveries underscore the sporadic yet significant occurrences of hostility and interpersonal conflict, providing a deeper understanding of the daily risks and social interactions of the time.

About the presenter
Daniela Tumler has an illustrious career, beginning with her education in Biological Anthropology and Applied Sciences at Bournemouth University and extending through valuable internships at the Institute for Mummy Studies of Eurac Research. Her doctoral research focused on the skeletal remains from Säben-Sabiona, enhancing our understanding of early medieval life in South Tyrol. Currently teaching at Burnley College in Lancashire, UK, Daniela specializes in archaeological and forensic anthropology and is spearheading a new interdisciplinary project to further scientific analysis of human remains in her native region.

About the series
Meet the Experts is a series of events organised by the European Forensic Institute to bring together professionals and students in the field of forensic science. In this series, we aim to introduce interested parties to the many aspects of Forensic Sciences including Digital Forensics, Forensic Engineering, Intelligence, Fraud, Counterfeiting, Crime Scene Investigation and more. Our guests will be speaking about various topics related to their field covering their everyday work, industry best practices, forensic innovation, cutting-edge technology and more.