@article{Cilli_Di Felice_Capasso_D'Anastasio_2024, title={Entheseal changes of the Achilles tendon in the Samnitic population of Opi, Val Fondillo (VII-VI century BCE; Abruzzo, central Italy): a preliminary study}, volume={2}, url={https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/JBR/article/view/16153}, abstractNote={Entheseal changes are an important feature in anthropological studies for reconstruction of lifestyles in ancient populations. This study examined Achilles tendon enthesis in a Samnitic population of Opi (VII-VI century BCE; central Italy), to investigate differences in work activities between females and males through life. Fifty-one individuals provided 35 usable heel bones that were examined using a standardized scoring method for entheseal changes (grades 0-4). Different distribution patterns of enthesopathies between females and males were seen. Females showed physiological changes in Achilles tendon enthesis linked to age-group. Males showed overall higher entheseal change distributions linked to earlier death, with some reaching the highest grade 4 in the 25-35 years age-group (8.3%). These data are consistent with different work activities between these females and males, and suggest more static and less-demanding female roles, with some males involved in harder/ more dynamic and dangerous activities, compared to females.}, number={2}, journal={Journal of Bioarchaeological Research}, author={Cilli, Jacopo and Di Felice, Arianna and Capasso, Luigi and D'Anastasio, Ruggero}, year={2024}, month={Aug.}, pages={e2024008} }