The first Identified Skeletal Collection of the Azores archipelago, Portugal (CEI/Açores)

Abstract

Identified skeletal collections play a crucial role in anthropology as the biographic information they contain enable the development and adaptation of population-specific identification methods, namely for biological profile (sex, age-at-death, stature and ancestry). In Portugal, aside from academic systematic research, these collections also permit the training of new professionals while also providing unclaimed skeletal remains an ethical destination. As of now, mainland Portugal has nine identified skeletal collections representing populations of a great part of its territory. Nevertheless, the population from the Portuguese insular territories, with their unique migration history and distinctive cultural and environmental contexts, had remained unrepresented until now. This paper presents the first identified skeletal collection from the Azores archipelago (CEI/Açores) that results from a pioneering effort between the two Terceira island municipalities (Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória) and academic researchers in anthropology. A protocol, established in march of 2023 and still ongoing, enabled the integration of unclaimed human skeletal remains from municipal cemeteries in the CEI/Açores. This collection was assembled not only for scientific research purposes but also with the aim of preventing their cremation or deposition in mass grave, which could lead to the loss of identity and hinder future recovery. Currently the CEI/Açores is housed and legally possessed by Praia da Vitória municipality and includes 75 identified skeletons of individuals who were born on Terceira island, where they also died between 1978 and 2013. The majority of them are almost complete or relatively complete (87%). Females are slightly more represented than males, 56% (n=40) and 44% (n=35) respectively, with ages-at-death raging between 26 and 97 years old (mean =71,47 ± 15,09). Male ages ranged between 26 and 89 (mean=65,42 ± 16,45) while females ranged 39 from to 97 (mean=76,83 ± 11,55). Various bone lesions, spanning traumatic, neoplastic, degenerative, and of potentially infectious origins, were observed, alongside the presence of prosthetics, pacemakers, and other medical devices. Although the CEI/Açores is still in its early stages and is currently undergoing expansion, it already presents significant research potential, not only at the local level but also on a global scale.