Timing of maxillofacial-oral injuries in an individual of the ancient city of Herculaneum (79 AD, Naples, Italy): a case report

Background: This study is based on the skeletal remains of an adult female from the ancient city of Herculaneum (Naples, Italy), who was a victim of the eruption of the nearby Vesuvius Volcano on 24-25 August, AD 79. Results and Discussion: Examination of the maxillofacial region revealed evidence of unilateral condylar fracture and dislocation, as well as traumatic dental injuries. The injuries observed might have been the consequence of a direct blow to the mental region that was transmitted in a direction that raised the mandible, causing an indirect fracture in the right condylar neck when the condylar head collided directly with the temporal glenoid fossa. This indirect impact also resulted in partial fracture of three dental crowns due to the violent impact of the arches between them, and the sharp impact together of the upper and lower teeth. It is suggested that these injuries were sustained due to an accidental fall when the individual was between 7 and 15 years old, which is supported by the morphology, location and extension of the injuries, and the characterization of the impact. Conclusion: These results are an illustration of how dental anthropology and forensic approaches can be applied with great benefit to archaeological skeletal remains. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.