New Method of Identifying Family Related Skulls: Forensic Medicine, Anthropology, Epigenetics

251 Pages·2004·12.61 MB·English

by  Zvonka Zupanič Slavec MD

~
SpringerWienNewYork
Zvonka Zupanic Slavec
NEWMETHOD
OF IDENTIFYING
FAMILY RELATED SKULLS
Forensic Medicine, Anthropology,
Epigenetics
Forewords by
Gertrude Hauser, Eugen Strouhal
and Igor Grdina
SpringerWienNewYork
Z. Zupanic Slavec, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of medical History
Institute for History of Medicine
Medical Faculty, Ljubljana University
Zaloska 7a
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Printing was supported by
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia
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© 2004 Springer-V erlag Wien
Originally published by Springer-Verlag Wien New York in 2004
Design and typesetting: Mctka Zcrovnik
Translation: Alan McConnell-Duff, MA
Photography: Viktor Berk
Printed on acid-free and chlorine-free blcached paper
SPIN: 11009894
Library of Congress Control Number: 2004107459
ISBN 978-3-7091-7207-0 ISBN 978-3-7091-0605-1 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-3-7091-0605-1
To myfamily
Forewords
WITH BEB MONOGRAPH Zvonka Zupanic Slavec impressively demonstrates by step
wise scientific analysis how identification of the 18skulls attributed to the Counts of Celje
has been achieved. It is already evident from the author's acknowledgements how difficult
this task was. Tn 1811the Minorite church burned, where 18 members of the noble family
ofthe Counts of Celje had been buried between 1350 and 1456 when the last countdied.As
is so often the case, the disturbance and reburial of skeletal remains led to the loss of any
written identification that may have indicated identity.Thus the fire initiated a succession
oflosses of information asto the identity of the 18individuals.
With the exception of the first and thelast countit wasnot known any more which fam
ilymembers had been buried in the original familyvault. Studies of identification ofhistori
calskeletonsmake usc ofvarious research strategies drawn from agreat variety ofdisciplines
such as: physical anthropology, radiology, stomatology, anatomy, paleopathology, genetics,
history and particularly so from forensic medicine. All these tools were applied by Zvonka
Zupanic Slavecin establishing the age, sex, morphology, pathology and epigeneticsimilarity
traits ofthe 18individualsforwhom this identity information wasno longer available.These
findings were combined with information from written records to produce a remarkablyfull
description ofthe genealogical positions of the individuals.
Thus, notwithstandingthe many difficulties in work ofthis kind Zvonka ZupanicSlavec
achieved her goal. She concludeswith a discussion ofthe usefulnessofsuch studies for elu
cidatingsocioculturalaspects ofhumanlifein the late medieval time ofthis region ofMiddle
Europe. This work, hased on the latest epigenetic research, is also highly relevant for mod
ern identification studies.
Prof. Gertrude Hauser, PhD
Histologic-Emhryologic Institute
Medical Faculty, University Vienna, Austria
7
THE PRESENTBOOKwaswritten byProfessor oftheHistoryofMedicine at Ljubljana
University, Dr. Zvonka Zupanic Slavec, renowned author of a number of important scien
tific contributionsin thatfield.Thistime,however,she decidedtoidentifyhistoricalpersons
in agroup of 18human skulls(except foronewithout mandibles)deposited in the Minorite
Church of the Assumption of theVirgin Mary in Celje, Slovenia.After the fire and renova
tion in 1811, they were discovered in the crypt of the church. According to tradition and
some written evidence theyhave been considered members ofthe important medieval fam
iliesof the Counts of Celje.
Asimilar endeavour isusuallyperformed byamultidisciplinaryteam ofhistorians,phys
ical anthropologists, radiologists, forensic doctors and palaeopathologists. In this case, how
ever,theauthorwasabletomaster thebasicmethodsofallthesebranchesand has mostsuc
cessfullyaccomplished the task.
In spite of the current feelings that todayonlymolecular DNAanalysisis an exact iden
tification method,and, in casethat DNAcannot be isolated,itwould bebetter togiveup the
case, the author has also used for the same purpose older, classical methods. These, taken
multidisciplinarily, can serve the same purpose as the reference method.
Tn her caseespecially,arecentmethodofstudyofepigenetictraitsproved to bcvcry usc
ful for identification of the skullsin connection with historicaland other data.This method
can be applied in similar casesall over the world.
Not less important are the palacopathologieal results, based on the author's knowledge
ofpathology, physical anthropologyand medical history.
Part of the resultsare also usefulfor studies of the socio-cultural aspects of human life,
givingback to the identified peopletheir -faces- byapplication oftheGerasimov method of
reconstruction of soft tissues of thc skull.
The book brings new facts bearing on the history of the Counts of Celje, which are of
the utmost importance for Slovene national history. This study will interest not only spe
cialists of the above-mentioned scientific branches, but also a wide international circle
of readers.
Prof. Eugen Strouhal, MD, PhD
Institute for the HistoryofMedicine and Foreign Languages
First Medical Faculty, Charles University
Prague, Czech Republic
8
Author's Acknowledgements
This long continuing research, which, like a kaleidoscope with different viewing angles
presenting each time a new visage, through its expresslyinterdisciplinarynature has drawn
me into contact with numerous interesting experts and interlocutors. By their encourage
ment and responsiveness they greatlyassisted me in peeling away the layers of secrecy sur
rounding the questions of the far-distant past. The complex of problemsgradually unfolded
before me,leadingme bit bybit to moreor lessconclusiveanswers.Wewillagain beleaving
to posteritythe hopesthat they might engage with our research studies at the places where,
with presentdayknowledgeand techniques,theyhavebeen concluded.Thusthe perpetuum
mobile of the development of science continues revolving into infinity.
The rational scope of the book necessitated certain limitations, therefore the pho
tographs oftheskullsare not published in allprojections, even though thefrontal and basal
norms would indeed be informative. Photographs of the skulls in all projections are obtain
able from the author. Also, comparison of the cranial outlines is shown only in cases where
the skulls are not heavily damaged. The research was limited by the lack of samples (the
skulls available were only those which have been preserved); hence, for example, paleo
microbiological data on TB were not provided. Likewise, radiocarbon dating was not done,
because its accuracyis not sufficientlyhigh (+/- 30 years).
9
Iwishto thankallofthosewhohave trusted in me,havegiven encouragementand good
counsel. Among so many experts, it is difficult to find for each the proper place: there are
many whom I would gladlyhave named in first place!
I should like to express mywarmest thanks to mycolleagues from Ljubljana University,
Slovenia, for offeringme theiradvice:ProfessorofForensicMedicine,Dr.Anton Dolenc and
Dr. Branko Errnenc, Professor of Radiology Dr. Vladimir Ievtic, Professor of Anthropology
Dr. Tatjana Tornazo Ravnik, and specialist in genetics Irena Zupanic Pajnic, MA,who were
most generous with their advice.
The epigenetic research wasconducted at the University of Vienna Medical Faculty. In
these studies,I wasunstintingly assisted bywell-knownepigeneticexpertProfessor Gertrude
Hauser from the Histological Embryological Institute, and by Professor Johann Szilvassy
from the Institute of forensic medicine.
For the genetic research, Iwas provided with information through the reference institu
tions. The workwasconducted in the Paleogenetic laboratoryofthe Second Medical Faculty
in Rome. I am most grateful to Professor Gian Franco De Stefano and Professor Olga
Rickards.
The paleopathological research was carried out under the professional guidance of one
of the most eminent European experts in paleopathology, Professor Eugen Strouhal at
Charles University Prague, FirstMedical Faculty, Institute for the History of Medicine.
The X-ray examinations were performed in the Celje General Hospital. I should like to
express my appreciation to the radiologist Dr. Mladen Malinar for having assisted me with
his rich knowledge.
Aspecial debt ofgratitude is owed to the instigator of the research, Dr. Franc Stolfa; as
a Celcian, he felt that the skulls of the Counts of Celje deserved to be scientifically studied.
I am also thankful to medical historian Professor Edvard Glaser who supported mywork all
the time.
I am, furthermore, grateful to the staff of the Pokrajinski muzej (Regional Museum)
Celje, Slovenia, where the skulls arc preserved. The photographs of the skulls are the work
of the local master photographer Viktor Berk. The study could also not have been accorn
plished without the consent of the Abbey of Celje.
In preparingthe historical partofthe research, Twasfortunate to havegood counsellors:
the academician Joze Mlinaric, Professor Bozo Otorepec, Professor Peter Stih and Rolanda
Fugger Germadnik, MA.
For co-operation and personal involvement in the deliberations about the visual depic
tions of the Counts of Celje, I am grateful to the Academy painter, Rudi Spanzel, for his
remarkable portraits, drawn after the existing anthropometrical and anthroposcopical char
acteristics ofthe skulls.
For having rendered the entire discussion clearly and in fine English, I should like to
express my gratitude to Alan McConnell-Duff, MA, and also for invaluable assistance in
preparing and designing the text, to Marjetka Kocevar, MA,and to Metka Zerovnik, MA.
Finally,even though in last place- yetin emotional importance in first place - I wish to
thank with especial warmth allthose in myfamily for their understanding and full support.
10
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION by Prof. Igor Grdina, PhD 15
2. SCIENTIFIC HYPOTHESES 19
3. METHODOLOGYOFWORK 21
3.1. Historiographic methods 21
3.1.1. Historyof the Counts of CeIje 22
3.1.2. From biographies of the Counts of CeIje 26
3.2. Identification methods 31
3.2.1. Useof identification methodsfor determininggendcr byskulIs 31
3.2.1.1. Morphological charactersfor determining gender 34
3.2.1.2. Determining gender by anthropometric methodsand indices 34
3.2.1.3. Determining gender by forcnsic-dcntal methods 37
3.2.2. Uscof identification methods for determining age byskull 38
3.2.2.1. Determining age byobliteration of thc endocranial sutures 39
3.2.2.2. Dctermining agc considering obliteration ofthe ectocranialsutures 41
3.2.2.3. Determining age byX-ray methods 42
3.2.2.4. Determining age byforensic-dental methods 42
3.2.2.5. Determining age byradioactive carbon 14C 43
3.2.3. Usc of identification methods for determining cause of illnessbyskull 44
3.2.3.1. Paleopathological methods 44
3.2.4. Usc of identification methods for determining familylinkage between skulls .47
3.2.4.1. Genetic methods 47
3.2.4.2. Epigenetic methods 51
3.2.4.2.1. Comparison of the facialcavities 52
3.2.4.2.2. Other epigenetictraits 57
3.2.5. Art history methods for reconstructing soft facial parts 62
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4. RESULTS 65
4.1. Historiographic results 65
4.1.1. Genealogicaland biographical data for those presumablyburied
in the familyvault 65
4.1.2. Historicallyexpected interments in the familyvault 72
4.1.2.1. Interment chronologyof male members of the family
ofthe Counts of Celje 72
4.1.2.2. Interment chronologyof female members of the family
ofthe Counts of Celje 72
4.1.2.3. Common interment chronologyof all members of the family 73
4.1.3. Anticipated age of the interred in the familyvault 74
4.1.4. Members of the family,interred elsewhere 75
4.2. Identification results 77
4.2.1. Gender, age and illnesses byskulls 1-18 77
4.2.1.1. Skull 1 77
4.2.1.2. Skull 2 83
4.2.1.3. Skull3 89
4.2.1.4. Skull 4 95
4.2.1.5. Skull 5 101
4.2.1.6. Skull 6 107
4.2.1.7. Skull7 113
4.2.1.8. Skull8 119
4.2.1.9. Skull9 125
4.2.1.10. Skull 10 131
4.2.1.11. Skull 11 137
4.2.1.12. Skull 12 143
4.2.1.13. Skull 13 149
4.2.1.14. Skull 14 155
4.2.1.15. Skull 15 163
4.2.1.16. Skull 16 169
4.2.1.17. Skull 17 175
4.2.1.18. Skull 18 181
12