The Skeletons of Delureni: Historical or Juridical Interest? Cover Image

Scheletele de la Delureni: de interes judiciar sau istoric?
The Skeletons of Delureni: Historical or Juridical Interest?

Author(s): Codrin Rebeleanu, Dana Doroftei
Subject(s): History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Local History / Microhistory, Middle Ages
Published by: COMPLEXUL MUZEAL BISTRIȚA-NĂSĂUD
Keywords: Skeletal remains; exhumation; forensic pathology; archeology

Summary/Abstract: The identification of skeletal remains represents a key component of forensic anthropology, having a considerable juridical importance. In the present study, the discovery of the skeletal remains of Delureni led to an interdisciplinary collaboration between the police and forensic pathology department, in order to exhume and analyze the skeletal remains. The human/non-human character of the bones, the antiquity, age, sex, the probable cause of death and any possible pathologies existent were analyzed. The skeletal remains found belong to 2 persons, of different age, respectively an adult, feminine sex, aged 37,6 ±4,9 years and approximate height of 165 ±4 centimeters and another person - child, aged 5,5–7,5 years. The antiquity of both skeletons can date back to over 150 years ago. The round stone sphere found near the skeletons has the diameter of 30 millimeters and the weight of 43,62 grams, possibly being a projectile of a weapon/small cannon (Romanian – Săcăluș) well spread throughout the Medieval Age in Transylvania. Due to the antiquity of the skeletal remains, the present forensic expertise is losing it’s juridical importance and gathers a historical one. The collaboration with archeologists regarding exhumations of skeletal remains could lead to the removal of the degradation risk of the remains, due to unqualified personnel, some of the skeletal remains found in this case being either incomplete, eroded, or missing (teeth, certain bones).

  • Issue Year: XXXVI/2022
  • Issue No: 36
  • Page Range: 281-288
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Romanian