Struck down in the marketplace: Bioarchaeological analysis of an individual recovered from the earthquake complex at Kourion. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osterholtz, Anna; Swantek, Laura A.; Siver, Noël; Davis, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 40:Part A(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Seismic archaeology -- Bioarchaeology -- Osteobiography -- Earthquake storms -- Trauma analysis -- Kourion -- Cyprus; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103203
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Highlights: Earthquake destruction of Kourion (Cyprus) was part of the earthquake storms that occurred during the fourth century CE. Osteobiography of a single indivdual, lived experience and circumstances of death. This individual suffered multiple perimortem fractures as well as crushing injuries related to building collapse. Abstract: This article details the excavation and osteobiography of a single individual from the Earthquake Complex at the late Roman site of Kourion on the island of Cyprus. The Earthquake Complex consists of two structures, the Earthquake House and Market Building, that were damaged and then destroyed by a series of earthquakes in the fourth century CE. Originally found in 1987 during excavations of the Earthquake Complex, this individual was excavated en bloc and removed to the Episkopi museum. Continued excavations of the individual and osteological analysis were completed in 2015. Detailed here are the recovery and reconstruction of events surrounding the individual's death. This individual died during one of the fourth century CE earthquakes that affected life throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Kourion suffered multiple earthquakes in this time frame; this snapshot archaeological deposit provides an opportunity to understand a single individual's experience within this destructive episode.