Chiara A Corbino | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) (original) (raw)

Papers by Chiara A Corbino

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, , 2023

Equids were an important component of Roman everyday life. Horses, donkeys and their hybrids (mul... more Equids were an important component of Roman everyday life. Horses, donkeys and their hybrids (mule and hinny) have been used as pack animals for moving people and goods through time. The most prestigious horse breeds were often associated with the social status of the owner as some equestrian statues and written sources seem to suggest. However, management and exploitation of this taxon at that time is still largely unknown.

This paper aims to investigate the human-equid relationship at Pompeii and to link the results to everyday life in a Roman town in the 1st century CE. Equid remains from several stables associated with urban houses and shops, as well as a rural villa have been subject to morphological, biometric, and ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis in order to enable their identification. The pathological evidence on the bones combined with ageing data has provided indications about the nature of the exploitation of these animals. Data on the fodder likely consumed by them were also obtained using previous studies to provide further hints about their management.

The results indicate that equid individuals ranging from 4 to 8 years old were preferred at Pompeii. Horses were largely employed in a number of activities inside the town as well as in the countryside. This study, focused on the analysis of equids collected from the Pompeii stables, provides important information about the exploitation and management of this taxon in the Roman Imperial period.

FOLD&R Fasti On Line Documents & Research, 535, 2022

As part of the new cycle of archaeological research promoted by the Archaeological Park of Pompei... more As part of the new cycle of archaeological research promoted by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii in the Sanctuary and Temple of Venus (VIII.1.3), a team from Mount Allison University and the University of Missouri undertook a second and third season of fieldwork in the summers of 2018 and 2019. This report presents the stratigraphic data collected from trenches excavated within the cella, in the open court E of the temple, and in the E wing of the triporticus that surrounded it. The results have allowed us to further define the spatial organization of the area prior to the construction of the monumental sanctuary, first uncovered in 2017, revealing more remains of Samniteera buildings that occupied elongated city blocks which were for-mally developed during the 2nd century BCE and repurposed in the early 1st century BCE, possibly for commercial functions. Based on finds from the obliteration sequence of these features and the surviving architectural decoration, the erection of the temple and triporticus can be securely dated to the late 1st century BCE, thus undermining previous reconstructions that vari-ously assigned the first building phase to the Late Samnite, Sullan or Caesarian periods.

Rivista di Studi Pompeiani, XXXII, pp. 134-145, 2021

Gli articoli monografi ci qui pubblicati, dopo una prima selezione della Direzione, sono stati so... more Gli articoli monografi ci qui pubblicati, dopo una prima selezione della Direzione, sono stati sottoposti a doppio referaggio in anonimo, e corretti poi dagli Autori in base alle indicazioni ricevute dai referee. Agli Autori si ricorda di inviare alla Redazione eventuali contributi per i numeri successivi della Rivista entro il 31 dicembre di ogni anno, in due copie (di cui una in pdf anonimo), complete di immagini, di un breve abstract, e una lista di 5 parole chiave, sia in inglese che in lingua originale.

D’Esposito L., Comegna C., Corbino C., Russo A., Toscano L., in M. Osanna (ed.), Ricerche e Scoperte a Pompei. In ricordo di Enzo Lippolis, Studi e Ricerche del Parco Archeologico di Pompei, «L’Erma» di Bretschneider, Roma., 2021

Nell'ambito del complessivo piano di indagini archeologiche del progetto "Scavi e Ricerche", prom... more Nell'ambito del complessivo piano di indagini archeologiche del progetto "Scavi e Ricerche", promosso dal Parco Archeologico di Pompei, sono stati effettuati alcuni saggi stratigrafici nell'area del Santuario Isiaco 1 ; in particolare ne sono stati condotti tre (Tav. I): i Saggi 1 e 2 nell'area antistante il podio e il Saggio 3 nell'area di forma subtriangolare tra il muro sud-ovest del cortile porticato e l'emiciclo del vicino Teatro Grande 2. Qui, in particolare, dopo la pulizia superficiale dell'area di cantiere e la relativa rimozione dei livelli di crollo, è stato intercettato il piano di calpestio antico, riferibile all'ultima fase di occupazione dell'area, esito delle ristrutturazioni post-sismiche del santuario ad opera di Numerio Popidio Celsino 3. Questo piano di frequentazione era costituito da uno spesso strato di scarico di materiale edilizio demolito, la cui interfaccia superiore appariva intaccata dalle fosse di piantumazione arboree moderne, attribuibili ai cipressi piantati in quest'area dal Maiuri il 28 novembre 1935 4. Al di sotto dello strato di ultima fase di vita del santuario è stato rinvenuto un articolato dedalo di strutture pertinenti ad entrambi i complessi monumentali (Tav. II): nel settore meridionale del saggio, infatti, si conservavano le stratigrafie legate ai lavori di ristrutturazione del Teatro Grande (fig. 1) opera della munificenza, ricordata dalle fonti, di Holconio

in Osanna M., Stefani G., Amoretti V., Corbino C., di Maio G., Martinelli R., Scala S., Lo scavo in località Civita a Pompei, in M. Osanna (ed.), Ricerche e Scoperte a Pompei. In ricordo di Enzo Lippolis, Studi e Ricerche del Parco Archeologico di Pompei, «L’Erma» di Bretschneider, Roma , 2021

in Galeandro F., Toniolo L., Amoretti V., Comegna C., Corbino C., H. Duday, I nuovi scavi della Necropoli fuori Porta Stabia, in M. Osanna (ed.), Ricerche e Scoperte a Pompei. In ricordo di Enzo Lippolis, Studi e Ricerche del Parco Archeologico di Pompei, «L’Erma» di Bretschneider, Roma, 2021

Quaternary International

The chicken (Gallus domesticus) originates from the red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), a bird found... more The chicken (Gallus domesticus) originates from the red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), a bird found in south and south-east Asia. The timing of the initial domestication, as well as its spread to western Asia and Europe, are still unclear. In Italy, the species was likely to have been introduced in the early Iron Age, though the precise chronology of this event is hitherto unconfirmed. By the 6th – 5th century BC, chicken remains occur at several Italian sites. Probably, the bird was originally raised for its symbolic value rather than for food, as its presence in early and mid-Iron Age cultic archaeological contexts suggests.
We have re-analysed remains identified as ‘chicken’ from a cinerary hut urn found at Montecucco in central Italy during a 19th century archaeological investigation, to verify identification and establish an ante quem date for the introduction of the chicken in Italy. The analysis of these remains, combined with a review of additional zooarchaeological and iconographic evidence, has allowed us to push back the date of the earliest presence of this bird in Italy to at least the first half of the 9th century BC. This has also relevance for our understanding of the dynamics of chicken diffusion in the rest of Europe.

in Martyn G. Allen (ed.), The Role of Zooarchaeology in the Study of the Western Roman Empire, Journal of Roman Archaeology, Suppl. 107, pp. 133-144., 2019

The analysed assemblage described here was recovered during the 2011-2013 excavations at Cetamura... more The analysed assemblage described here was recovered during the 2011-2013 excavations at Cetamura del Chianti (Tuscany-Italy). It comes from the Roman levels of a well located on the hilltop. The sample is dominated domestic mammals and birds. The faunal remains were recovered together with an exceptional amount of votive finds dated back to the early 1st c. A.D.
Among mammals, Caprines and Swine are the most abundant species. Articulated anatomical elements suggest that large portions of animals were dumped into the well. Domestic fowl dominate the sample. Sex indicators show the high occurrence of roosters. Age at death of mammals and the development of medullary bone in hens indicate a timing corresponding to the end of spring - beginning of summer. All the evidence argues the interpretation of those remains as being part of ritual banquets that likely took place at the site, on a yearly basis, at the end of June, about the summer solstice.
Furthermore, this assemblage may attest the occurrence of ritual practices at Cetamura dated to the 1st c. A.D. connected with Mithras, whose feast day was at the end of June.

in Bethany J. Walker, Abdelkader Al Ghouz (eds.) Living with Nature and Things. Contributions to a New Social History of the Middle Islamic Periods. Göttingen: Bonn University Press, pp. 159-180., 2020

Recent archaeological investigations carried out at Tall Hisban unearthed a considerable amount o... more Recent archaeological investigations carried out at Tall Hisban unearthed a considerable amount of animal bones dating back to the Mamluk period. The specimens analyzed here were collected from the citadel as well as from the village located on the tell slopes. The faunal assemblage is fairly diverse. The results show that the inhabitants of Hisban relied mainly on domestic animals. Sheep/goats are prevalent, followed by chickens. In the citadel wild animals are well-represented, although they provided no more than occasional contributions to the everyday meals. Among wild animals, gazelles are the most abundant. Additional results indicate that sheep/goats were not bred within the citadel, but were reared and butchered outside. Meat-bearing elements were likely brought into the citadel from the nearby village in order to satisfy the demand of the elite group based at the site.
This study aims to investigate the exploitation of the animal resources during the Mamluk period. The obtained results do not only provide a picture of the local daily life, but also an insight into the management of animals and landscape in Middle Islamic Jordan.

The Archaeology of Human-Bird Interactions: Essays in Honour of Dale Serjeantson. Volume 1, 2020

Tijdschrift voor Mediterrane Archeologie 56, 2017

Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the 6th centu... more Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the 6th century BC onwards, it becomes widespread only in the Roman period. Throughout the Middle Ages, chicken played an important role in the Italian food economy as attested by the substantial number of bones of this bird recovered from archaeological contexts. This research is focused on the identification of trends in chicken exploitation that can be linked to production or consumption. The analysis of bone assemblages shows an increase in the frequency of chickens from the 13th century onwards. In urban contexts, which reflect consumption more than production, anatomical parts with a higher meat value are more frequent. Chickens were probably bred at rural sites, as attested by age and sex evidence. From the 9th century onwards, the average size of domestic fowl becomes smaller, probably due to specific market requirements.

Environmental Archaeology 23(4), 2018

Wild birds are intrinsically associated with our perception of the Middle Ages. They often featur... more Wild birds are intrinsically associated with our perception of the Middle Ages. They often feature in heraldic designs, paintings, and books of hours; few human activities typify the medieval period better than falconry. Prominent in medieval iconography, wild birds feature less frequently in written sources (as they were rarely the subject of trade transactions or legal documents) but they can be abundant in archaeological sites. In this paper we highlight the nature of wild bird exploitation in Italian medieval societies, ranging from their role as food items to their status and symbolic importance. A survey of 13 Italian medieval sites corresponding to 19 'period sites', dated from the fifth to the fifteenth centuries, reveals the occurrence of more than 100 species (certainly an under-estimate of the actual number). Anseriformes and Columbiformes played a prominent role in the mid-and late medieval Italian diet, though Passeriformes and wild Galliformes were also important. In the late Middle Ages, there is an increase in species diversity and in the role of hunting as an important marker of social status.

Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, 2017

In: U. Thun Hohestein, M. Cangemi, I. Fiore, J De Grossi Mazzorin (eds.), Annali dell’Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Museologia Scientifica e Naturalistica, Atti del 7° Convegno Nazionale di Archeozoologia, 2016

The bird bones analyzed were recovered during the 2011-2012 excavations at Cetamura del Chianti (... more The bird bones analyzed were recovered during the 2011-2012 excavations at Cetamura del Chianti (Siena, Tuscany). They were found in a well located on a hilltop. The context is probably ritual for the extraordinary number of pottery and bronze objects dated back to the first half of the 1st century A.D.. The faunal sample is composed by Gallus gallus, Anser anser and Cygnus sp.. Domestic fowl is dominant (69%). All the skeletal elements are represented. Morphometric data reveal a range of sizes, from a very small-sized fowl to a very large one. The medullary bone development reveals the occurrence of hens outside of their egg-laying season and/or roosters. The numerous remains of immature birds indicate locally bred fowls. The analyses disclosed important information on domestic bird breeding strategies adopted during the Roman imperial period.

in F. Lo Schiavo, M. Perra (eds.), Il Nuraghe Arrubiu di Orroli. La torre centrale ed il cortile B: Il cuore del gigante rosso, vol.1, Itinera 18., 2017

in N.T. De Grummonds (ed.), Wells of Wonders: New Discoveries at Cetamura del Chianti, Edifir, Firenze, 2017

A substantial quantity of animal bones was recovered from Cetamura del Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) d... more A substantial quantity of animal bones was recovered from Cetamura del Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) during excavations undertaken between 2011 and 2014. The material derived from the rock-cut well located in the highest part of the settlement. The zooarchaeological evidence, associated to other finds, indicates that it was used for ritual activities during the Etruscan (3rd century BCE) as well as the Roman period (1st century CE).
The faunal remains mainly belong to mammals and birds, although fish, amphibians and reptiles were recovered as well. Domestic species are dominant, but a great diversity of wild birds was also recorded.
Taxonomic diversity, anatomical frequencies, ages at death and butchery patterns underline significant differences between the Etruscan and the Roman contexts. In the Etruscan layers chicken is absent, while it becomes the most frequent species in the Roman period. Mammal remains show a wide range of mortality patterns and the high frequency of butchery is similar to that identified in the ordinary domestic refuse. By contrast, in Roman times very young individuals predominate and large articulated portions appear to have been disposed of, with minimal butchery evidence on display.
These differences suggest a breaking point in religious beliefs and practices rather than continuity. This study sheds light on how ancient cults and rituals were performed and emphasises their differences beyond their initial apparent similarities.

Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the 6th centu... more Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the 6th century BC onwards, it becomes widespread only in the Roman period. Throughout the Middle Ages, chicken played an important role in the Italian food economy as attested by the substantial number of bones of this bird recovered from archaeological contexts. This research is focused on the identification of trends in chicken exploitation that can be linked to production and/or consumption. The analysis of bone assemblages shows an increase in the frequency of chickens from the 13th century onwards. In urban contexts, which reflect consumption more than production, anatomical parts with a higher meat value are more frequent. Chickens were probably bred at rural sites, as attested by age and sex evidence.
Early medieval chickens from Rome appear to have had the largest body size. The requirements of the market did not seem to have imposed an improvement in chicken size in later centuries.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, , 2023

FOLD&R Fasti On Line Documents & Research, 535, 2022

Rivista di Studi Pompeiani, XXXII, pp. 134-145, 2021

Quaternary International

in Martyn G. Allen (ed.), The Role of Zooarchaeology in the Study of the Western Roman Empire, Journal of Roman Archaeology, Suppl. 107, pp. 133-144., 2019

The Archaeology of Human-Bird Interactions: Essays in Honour of Dale Serjeantson. Volume 1, 2020

Tijdschrift voor Mediterrane Archeologie 56, 2017

Environmental Archaeology 23(4), 2018

Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, 2017

in F. Lo Schiavo, M. Perra (eds.), Il Nuraghe Arrubiu di Orroli. La torre centrale ed il cortile B: Il cuore del gigante rosso, vol.1, Itinera 18., 2017

in N.T. De Grummonds (ed.), Wells of Wonders: New Discoveries at Cetamura del Chianti, Edifir, Firenze, 2017

Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the 6th centu... more Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the 6th century BC onwards, it becomes widespread only in the Roman period. Throughout the Middle Ages, chicken played an important role in the Italian food economy as attested by the substantial number of bones of this bird recovered from archaeological contexts. This research is focused on the identification of trends in chicken exploitation that can be linked to production and/or consumption. The analysis of bone assemblages shows an increase in the frequency of chickens from the 13th century onwards. In urban contexts, which reflect consumption more than production, anatomical parts with a higher meat value are more frequent. Chickens were probably bred at rural sites, as attested by age and sex evidence.
Early medieval chickens from Rome appear to have had the largest body size. The requirements of the market did not seem to have imposed an improvement in chicken size in later centuries.

The 9th Bird Working Group Meeting, ‘The archaeology of human-bird interactions. A conference in ... more The 9th Bird Working Group Meeting, ‘The archaeology of human-bird interactions. A conference in honour of Dale Serjeantson’, will take place at the University of Sheffield (UK) from the 8th to the 11th of June, 2018. The meeting is organized in honour of Dale Serjeantson, who has contributed hugely to the development of archaeo-ornithology.

There is no specific theme for the conference. Any contribution to the history of human-bird interactions is welcome.

Bird remains recovered from historical archaeological contexts are frequently dominated by chicke... more Bird remains recovered from historical archaeological contexts are frequently dominated by chickens. Although domestic fowl was introduced in Italy from the 8th c. BC, it became widespread only in the Roman period, as a source of food but also as an animal used in ritual contexts. In medieval times the religious role of the domestic fowl declined or, even, disappeared, and the bird was exploited almost exclusively for food.
In the past, the analysis of this bird has been mainly focussed on taxonomic identification, while other important aspects such as sex ratio, selection of breeds, changes in size and management through time have been neglected.
The method of analysis of domestic fowl remains from archaeological sites proposed in this study is based on the experience acquired recording thousands of chicken bones. These specimens come from sites located in central Italy, with a chronology spanning from the Roman period to the Middle Ages.
The identification is based on the diagnostic zone method, purposely adapted to birds. The study of age classes is supported by biometrical analyses aimed to detect bone development in immature specimens. Sexing bird remains is based on the presence or absence of the spur, the development of medullary bone inside the marrow cavity of selected anatomical elements and biometrical data. Furthermore, breed selection and size changes were investigated using biometry.

A substantial quantity of animal bones was recovered from Cetamura del Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) ... more A substantial quantity of animal bones was recovered from Cetamura del Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) during excavations undertaken between 2011 and 2014. The material derived from a rock-cut well located in the highest part of the settlement. The archaeological evidence indicates that it was used for dining and ritual activities during the Late Etruscan period (3rd century BCE) as well as the Roman period (1st century CE). The faunal remains belong primarily to mammals and birds along with some evidence for fish and amphibians. Domestic species are dominant, but there is also a great diversity of wild animals, especially birds.
Taxonomic diversity, anatomical frequencies, ages at death and butchery patterns underline significant differences between the Etruscan and the Roman contexts. In the Etruscan layers there are many types of wild birds, including owls. Evidence for chicken is absent, whereas it becomes the most important species in the following period. Mammal remains of both adults and young individuals from the Etruscan period show a wide range of mortality patterns, and the high frequency of butchery marks is similar to that identified in the ordinary domestic refuse. Sheep/goat remains predominate, but there are also cattle, pig, and deer. By contrast, in Roman times very young individuals predominate, especially piglets, and large articulated portions of animals appear to have been disposed of, with minimal butchery evidence on display.
Those differences suggest a break point in cultural beliefs and practices rather than continuity between the Late Etruscan and Roman contexts. This study throws light on the use of animals in ancient dining and religious rituals, and indicates that initial apparent similarities in Etruscan and Roman practices in fact speak to significant differences.

Through time, birds have been intensely exploited as a source of meat, eggs, feathers and quills.... more Through time, birds have been intensely exploited as a source of meat, eggs, feathers and quills. While chicken (Gallus gallus) has played a dominant role as the key farmyard bird, other birds were also important, but the history of their breeding is poorly understood. Pigeon is considered to be among the earliest domestic birds but its importance diminished with the spread of the chicken. We know little about the times and modes of the domestication of duck and goose, as well as later developments in their husbandry. Unlike chicken, the challenge with the understanding of the domestication of these other species in Europe is that they have wild ancestor that are native to the region, and whose bones are difficult to distinguish from the domestic forms.
This research is focused on chicken, pigeon, goose and duck remains recovered from medieval sites in Italy. Relative frequencies, mortality pattern and sex indicators by period and site phase are analysed. At all sites, chicken is the most frequent domestic bird while goose importance increased in the course of the Middle Ages. Duck and pigeon remains, when recorded, represent a marginal occurrence. High frequencies of juvenile bones, often recorded at rural sites, seem to be related to local breeding and specialised forms of exploitation. While chickens were sometimes slaughtered when still young, geese were generally kept alive longer. Development of medullary bone and spur presence were both used to assess the sex ratio. The quantity of medullary bone in the hens’ lower limb bones has disclosed information about different forms of chicken management. Biometrical analyses are used to discriminate between breeds, as well as wild and domestic forms. In particular, duck and goose identifications were aided by the application of a new system developed by our research team.
This study shows how domestic birds can highlight social and economic differences in rural and urban sites from medieval Italy.

Hisban is located on a strategic hilltop overlooking the Madaba Plains, only 25 kilometers south ... more Hisban is located on a strategic hilltop overlooking the Madaba Plains, only 25 kilometers south of Amman (Jordan). Since 1968, Tell Hisban has been investigated to highlight the site’s biblical connections. Indeed, Hisban is where the biblical Heshbon is to be found. The site was inhabited from the Iron Age to the contemporary time, surviving through the Classical and Islamic eras. Indeed, a second phase of investigation has focused primarily on the site’s Islamic history.
Recent archaeological excavations carried out at the site unearthed a considerable amount of animal bones dating back to the 14th century AD. At that time, the site was the administrative capital of the Balqua region. Mamluk sources refer to it as a centre for agricultural management. It included vast grain fields, gardens, orchards and also a marketplace.
The specimens analysed here were collected from the citadel as well as from the village located on the tell slopes. The research focuses on defining food resource supplies and landscape exploitation during the Mamluk period. The faunal assemblage is fairly diversified. The results show that the inhabitants of Hisban relied mainly on domestic animals. Sheep and goats are prevalent, followed by chicken. In the citadel wild animals are well represented, although they provided no more than occasional contributions to everyday meals. Among wild animals, gazelles are the most abundant. Additional results indicate that animals were not bred within the citadel, but were reared and butchered outside. Meat-bearing elements were brought into the citadel from the nearby village in order to satisfy the demand of the elite group based at Hisban.
This study aims to reconstruct peculiar trends in the exploitation of the animal resources at Tell Hisban in the Mamluk period. In broader terms, this analysis does not only provide a picture of local daily life, but also an insight into the management of domestic animals and landscape during the Mamluk period.

The production and trade of wool and the commercialization of manufactured textiles constituted k... more The production and trade of wool and the commercialization of manufactured textiles constituted key economic aspects for many areas of Europe in different historical periods. However, while economic history studies show how important this topic has been in Europe, the potential contribution of archaeology has not been yet fully used. Interdisciplinary archaeological research looking at the technology and trading networks of wool craft in their social, economic and political contexts is still overdue.

Lo stage mira all'identificazione ed interpretazione dei resti di avifauna provenienti da contest... more Lo stage mira all'identificazione ed interpretazione dei resti di avifauna provenienti da contesti archeologici. Si svolgerà nei giorni 13 e 14 settembre 2018 presso il Dipartimento di Biologia, sez. di Antropologia, dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze (via del Proconsolo, 12). Le attività saranno suddivise in lezioni frontali e laboratori pratici.

The Archaeology of Human-Bird Interactions: Essays in Honour of Dale Serjeantson. Volume 1, 2020

Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 59, 2018

TMA56, 2017

Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the sixth cen... more Although domestic fowl is often found at Italian archaeological sites at least from the sixth century BC onwards, it became widespread only in the Roman period. Throughout the Middle Ages, chicken played an important role in the Italian food economy as attested by the substantial number of bones of this bird recovered from archaeological contexts. This study is focused on the identification of trends in chicken exploitation that can be linked to production and/or consumption. The analysis of bone assemblages shows an increase in the frequency of chickens from the 13th century onwards. In urban contexts, which reflect consumption rather than production, anatomical parts with a higher meat value are more frequent. Chickens were probably bred at rural sites, as attested by age and sex evidence. Early medieval chickens from Rome appear to have had the largest body size. The requirements of the market did not seem to have imposed an increase in chicken size in later centuries.