CSAPS - Center of Anthropological, Paleopathological and Historical Studies of the Sardinian and Mediterranean

The Centre has been created in 2014 within the Department of Biomedical Sciences by a pool of co-founding partners with expertise in several research areas: Physical anthropology, Paleopathology, Osteoarchaeology, Dental anthropology, Anatomy, Molecular biology, Ancient DNA, Genetics, Medical History, Archaeology, Forensic Medicine, Paleobotany and Zooarchaeology .

The aim of the Centre is to contribute to the advancement of the emerging field of   Bioarchaeology, a new discipline blending  anthropology and archaeology to study the past civilizations.

To that end, it promotes and coordinates research on    health conditions and life style of the ancient Sardinian and Mediterranean populations, using the most modern biomedical technology, along with the traditional archaeological and historical investigations.

The Centre also aims to raise awareness for the preservation and protection of direct materials sources such as human remains, skeletal and mummified, and indirect sources, such as archival and literary records and documents.

Adhere to CSAPS scholars of various Italian and Foreign Universities (Department of Anthropology, Ohio State University, Ohio, USA; Ancient DNA Center at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo).     

The Centre   has working relationship  with  Superintendents for Architectural and Landscape Heritage, Diocesan Office for the Cultural heritage  (Sassari), and  offers scientific counseling to some municipalities.

Since 2014  the Centre has carried out  important researches  on Malaria and Leishmaniosis in ancient, Roman and Medieval  Sardinia   and  on living conditions and diseases in Sardinian women through  archaeological, paleonutritional and paleopathological studies (12th -18th centuries).

The Centre has realized conferences, seminars, workshops and congresses.